What Low Carb Dieters Should Know About Nitrates And Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added

to certain meats to affect a desirable color and prevent

the growth of poisons and bacteria. When nitrates

and nitrites are exposed to heat and other conditions

during the curing process, they are sometimes transformed

into nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer

in a number of studies.

In addition to this, nitrates and nitrites have been linked

to "stalling"--or unexpected stops in weight loss--even

when consumers are on low carb diets,

such as Atkins, that specifically prescribe the

consumption of meat that could potentially

contain nitrates and nitrites.

Most meats that contain nitrates and nitrites (sausage,

bacon, ham, and some types of smoked fish) also

have high amounts of fat. This could, in part, explain

for the stalling--if the fat intake far

surpasses the prescribed amount (for low carb

diets) needed to "satiate" the body and prevent

it secretion of hormones that stall weight-loss.

Cured meats are also generally high in LDL

cholesterol, which experts say is responsible

for clogging arteries, when it slowly deposits

and then mixes with other compounds to form

plaque, a hard substance that blocks

passageways, preventing the flow of blood

to the heart.

If you subscribe to a low carb weight loss plan,

you should monitor your intake of nitrates and

nitrites carefully to mitigate the accumulation

of carcinogenic nitrosamines and prevent

"stalls" or high levels of bad cholesterol

caused by over-consumption of fatty

cured meats.

If you do continue to consume a sizable

portion of these meats on your low carb

diet, you should try to find a source of

preservative-free, fresh meat, whether

it be a local butcher or a mail-order meat

source.

In addition, you should specifically

choose meats and portions that keep

your cholesterol consumption below 300

mg/day--and your fat intake at a reasonable

level according to the precepts of your low

carb diet.

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