So sugar is good again?
> So heroin is back in?
Evidently, both are bad and it doesn't seem to be immediately clear whether real sugar or artificial is more harmful. But we do know for a fact that excess carbohydrate intake causes numerous serious health problems (heart problems, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc).
I used to be all about potatoes, bread, pasta, milk, etc. Never big on sweets, but the complex carbs... oh yes. Once I almost hit 200lb at 17-ish I decided to cut carbs (/r/keto) and it worked wonders. I was down to about 150 (a healthy weight for my size) in about a year, but the weight loss is asymptotic. I lost like 10 pounds in my first two weeks, but it took me another 8-9 months to lose the other 40.
The first week or two are somewhat hellish for some people because you're essentially going through a withdrawal. It's nearly identical in mechanism and symptoms of a drug withdrawal. If anything, that should underline how detrimental regular excess carb intake can be. What's even worse than the normal "withdrawals," though, is when you cheat.
When I first went to college I ate an absurd amount of carbs for a rush event (aka fun/eating challenge) and literally fell asleep at the table. Then I felt like shit for the next 3 days. That was my last time cheating :)
You're absolutely right, though, after the first 1-3 weeks, your cravings stop, headaches stop, brain fog clears, you sleep amazingly, feel energized, and don't even notice the dessert menu. It's fascinating and I highly recommend it. You may hate it, you may love it. It has benefitted me in a lot of ways, and it continues to even as I somewhat elevate my carb intake in order to work out effectively.
Like steak.
And bacon.
And cheese.
Do we know that for a fact? Definitely?
We know consuming excess carbohydrates is bad for you the same way we know that climate change is happening. The same way we know that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to your health. The same way we know that smoking causes lung cancer and a cornucopia of other health concerns.
Science rarely affords us the ability to make absolute statements.
Parent post said "we know for a fact" that excess carbs cause alzheimers, and it is this specific strong claim that I'm challenging. I'm not even asking for "know for a fact". "Most researchers agree" will do.
Sugar causes overweight; but people who are overweight might be less likely to get alzheimers than people who are thin.
Today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32233571
> Being overweight cuts the risk of dementia, according to the largest and most precise investigation into the relationship.
(Researchers who found this are cautious, saying this is just one study and that it conflicts with other research). But in 2011: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13213755
> Middle aged people who are overweight but not obese, are 71% more likely to develop dementia than those with a normal weight, according to research.
And confusingly in 2009 we thought that rapid weight loss might be an early sign of dementia: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8055030.stm
> Researchers have produced more evidence that rapid weight loss in old age may be a early warning sign of dementia.
3x10mg methadone pills may be enough to cause an overdose in a naive patient. Given the long times involved, this isn't an unrealistic scenario. Whereas with Heroin, a: oral bioavailability is rather low, and b: action happens faster, thus an OD is less likely. (Not true for IV usage, but hopefully such patients exercise more caution in the first place, reality excepted.)
And both aren't really "bad" for you, as far as long-term medicines go. The side effect profile is positively tame compared to other commonly accepted medicines such as anti-depressants or mood stabilizers.
Personally I've completely eliminated added salt and everything is now tasty as it was when I added salt - my taste has recovered from the over-stimulation. I can't imagine that added salt (or sweetener) is any different.
Solution: Stop sweetening everything.