According to the Medibank Better Health Index, the rate of "wear and tear" arthritis, traditionally associated with older people, has doubled amongst 25 – 39 year olds since 2007 and is particularly prevalent amongst women. In an article featured in The Age this week, Medibank's Chief Medical Officer attributed this increase to rises in both obesity and high impact exercise such as jogging. That's not good news if you're exercising to lose weight.

What the article didn't mention is that there is a very effective way to simultaneously manage your weight and avoid osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The solution lies in reducing the inflammation caused by the chronically high blood insulin levels associated with insulin resistance.

The more carbohydrates you eat, the more insulin your body has to produce to maintain a stable blood sugar and get glucose (energy) into your cells. If you have high levels of insulin in your blood stream, you will store more fat, have difficulty burning fat and will feel more hungry. It is this hormonal imbalance that explains why calorie counting and exercising to lose weight is often ineffective for people with high insulin levels and insulin resistance. Since insulin is also highly inflammatory, it impairs recovery after exercise and can contribute to injuries and joint pain and is linked to arthritis and osteoporosis.

When you eat a low carbohydrate high fat diet, your body adapts to burn fat rather than glucose for energy. As your insulin levels fall, your body can use the energy stored in your fat cells and you start to lose weight and reduce inflammation. It takes up to 6 weeks for your body to become fully 'fat-adapted', and during that time exercise may feel more draining. However, once you are burning fat for fuel, you will recover more quickly after exercise and won’t need energy drinks to sustain you.

So make the switch; cut carbs and burn fat for fuel to lose weight and get rid of joint pain once and for all.

If you'd like to know more or access support to lose weight and reduce inflammation contact:

Helen Chauhan, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

Iris Family Medicine, 1486 High St, Glen Iris

Tel 9509 2144

Email helen@helenchauhan.com