Insulin, the Obesity Epidemic and a Giant German Baby
The obesity epidemic starts early in life: Germany has a new record for “heaviest baby”: 13,5 pound Jasleen. She was delivered without the help of a C-section.
- Huffington Post: Baby Jasleen, Born At 13.47 Pounds, Is Germany’s Heaviest Baby Born Vaginally
- CNN: Oh baby! Mother gives birth to 13-pound girl in Germany
The cause of heavy babies is often maternal obesity and gestational diabetes – conditions with abnormally high insulin levels. Insulin is a fat-storing growth hormone that does not just affect the mother but also the unborn child. The mother to Jasleen, not surprisingly, had gestational diabetes.
The most common cause of abnormally high insulin levels resulting in obesity and diabetes (and heavy babies) is eating excess carbs.
The smartest way to avoid these things is to avoid eating excess carbs. Why? A low-carb diet is an effective way to lower insulin levels. And normalizing the fat-storing hormone insulin tends to normalize weight for most people (and any present unborn babies).
So here’s another reason to do low carb: You won’t have to deliver a 13,5 pound baby.
If people don´t eat grains or sugar it´s really hard NOT to lowcarb (that is, get over 130 gr. of carbs a day, see http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/what-is-a-low-carb-diet-researcher...). There is nothing of nutritional value in grans or sugar so no one is missing out on anything although most run-of-the-mills nutritiononists and dietitians seems to think whole grain to be a bit magical. ;-)
I eat low carb but not ketogenically so. Berries, fruits, tubers when I feel like it and in any amount I want. I have yet to reach 130 gr of carbs in one day. :-)