Low-glycemic diet is a benefit

I found your Sept. 29 article on low-glycemic diets ["Just What's Behind That 'Low-Glycemic' Label?"] to be accurate and fair until the last two paragraphs. According to the most popular literature, a low-glycemic diet is not intended for weight loss. It is solely to help control blood sugar and cholesterol. Indeed, some of the recommended foods are high in calories, but low on the glycemic index.

Properly used, the diet works to lower blood sugar. Following the diet reasonably well, but not fanatically, I have lowered my blood sugar from 137 to 89. Likewise, my HDL and LDL readings are in the 60s.

As I have experienced and as your article states, it is effective in controlling blood sugar, and LDL and HDL readings, but it has no bearing on weight loss. Non-applicability to weight loss, but effectiveness in its stated purpose, does not a "gimmick" make.

Ed Cobleigh

Paso Robles

I am an athlete who has historically eaten well by all typical standards: reasonable portions, low fat, low simple sugar and a somewhat carb-centric diet. Regardless of the amount of exercise I did, I always fought a bit of a jacket of fat. Through serendipity, I came across the concept of the glycemic index and through some re-balancing of my diet, eating more consistently and making simple alternative decisions, I was able to shed the jacket, all while eating more and having more energy.

My case study is not scientific by any means. But in my mind the glycemic index is a valid concept. I've continued to research these concepts and some interesting work is being done on the concept of the glycemic load. As I understand it, the basic concept assumes we don't eat foods in isolation and how combinations of foods impact insulin and blood sugar is what is really important. For instance, eating a steak (low-glycemic index) with a baked potato (high-glycemic index) yields a result in between the two.

Kevin Armstrong

Irvine

Support, disdain for flu shots

In the Sept. 29 article "From Parents: Doubt and Distrust," Sarah Outlaw states that neither she nor her children has ever had the flu vaccine or the flu. Perhaps she should remember that this might be a result of the fact that those around her (teachers, the elderly, healthcare professionals and the like) did receive the flu vaccine as recommended and that she and her family are benefiting from this fact.