| If every person had the exact same body type | | | | history of diabetes, this should be very carefully |
| and exact same body chemistry, then it would be | | | | noted. Diabetes affects more than 15 million |
| very easy to have one diet plan that would fit all | | | | Americans and can be very dangerous in |
| people. Indeed, it would seem no diets would be | | | | combination with a low carb diet. |
| needed at all. Because each person is different, | | | | Once you have collected health history |
| not every diet is beneficial to every person. Food | | | | information about your immediate family, then |
| allergies, existing health problems, and other | | | | move on to extended family, like aunts, uncles, |
| conditions all help predetermine what diets will | | | | and grandparents. The more information that you |
| work and what diets should be avoided. This also | | | | provide to your family doctor the better he or |
| applies to low carb diets. There are many | | | | she will be able to determine if a low carb diet is |
| variations of low carb diets available, but they all | | | | safe for you. |
| have the same target of reducing carbohydrate | | | | In order to further determine the safety of a low |
| intake. | | | | carb diet for you, your doctor will want to run |
| In order to determine if the low carb approach is | | | | some basic tests. These include checking your |
| safe for you, it is best to see your doctor. If the | | | | blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, |
| doctor you see does not have your family health | | | | and cholesterol levels (both HDL and LDL). Since |
| history and yours, then you will need to collect as | | | | different people metabolize carbohydrates in |
| much information as possible before going to your | | | | different ways, what may be a safe level for you |
| visit. Your doctor will make his/her assessment | | | | (and therefore not need changing at all), may |
| based on your past health condition, and also the | | | | need curbing in someone else. |
| conditions that your family is predisposed to | | | | As effective a tool as low carb diets are in the |
| having. | | | | weight loss arsenal, they are not suited for every |
| Surprisingly enough, you inherit some of your | | | | person. Certain people have personal or genetic |
| carbohydrate utilization and storage tendencies, | | | | health factors that would make trying low carb |
| along with many other health traits. When you are | | | | diets dangerous. Therefore, you will need to see |
| collecting family history, you will want to start | | | | your doctor before starting this type of diet. You |
| with your immediate family. Every disease and | | | | will also need to learn as much as you can about |
| surgery should be recorded, as well as any | | | | your family health history, and assemble a profile |
| chronic diseases. If there is a personal or family | | | | of your past and current health conditions. |