The Carbohydrate Addict's Healthy Heart Program: Break Your Carbo-Insulin Connection to Heart Disease

In this follow-up to The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, biomedical researchers Heller and Heller and cardiologist Vagnini present compelling evidence that eating a regular, low-carbohydrate diet can reduce the risk of heart disease--and they offer a clear program for sticking to it. According to their studies, heart disease, high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes and excessive weight gain are all linked to high levels of insulin in the body that are triggered by the consumption of carbohydrates--especially in individuals whose genetically predisposed chemical imbalances cause them to crave high-carbohydrate foods. For these carbohydrate addicts, certain foods celebrated for their nutritional value (including pasta, rice and, surprisingly, even fruit) can promote the opposite of heart health. The book prescribes an exercise and nutrition program that reads much like any other healthy-heart plan, with attention paid to vitamin supplementation and low-carbohydrate tofu recipes. More helpful, however, is a section on how over-the-counter drugs, like pain relievers, can raise insulin levels in the body, resulting in carbohydrate cravings. This intelligently written book has much to offer those wanting to maintain a healthy heart. (Sept.)