The Truth About Low Carb Foods

The Low Carb Craze

Atkins became hugely popular around ten years ago, but it’s not a recent concept. Dr. Robert Atkins created his theories around low carb foods in the 60s. He updated his Atkins diet books to reflect newer scientific research surrounding low carb foods before his death in 2003, but his general idea remained the same – low carb foods are a healthy way to help people lose weight. To learn more about the popular Atkins plan read; Basics of the Atkins Diet.

Atkins is not the only proponent of the low carb diet. Atkins Diet & Low Carbohydrate Weight-Loss Support is continually updated with all the latest in low carb diets and news. The website is full of information and people who believe in the low carb diet.

Other low carb diets include the South Beach Diet, the Sonoma Diet, Sugar Busters, and more. There are also people who plan their own low carb diet which is never a good idea. No matter what sort of weight loss plan you’re interested in you should always let your doctor know and ideally work on your plan with him or her.

Problems With A Low Carb Diet

Health problems have been cited related to maintaining a low carb diet. The number one issue is that humans; all bodies, need carbohydrates to function. The truth about low carb foods that everyone should know is that carbohydrates are not a luxury you can afford to live without for the long term. They are essential to the human body make-up. Some roles that carbs play in our body include:

• Structure: Carbs help form important structures such as part of the mucus that surrounds and protects our internal organs.
• Energy: Carbs provide the human body with energy.

The Most Important Role of Carb: Protein Sparing Action

Low carbs means that protein is not spared. This is a huge problem of low carb diets. Protein sparing is a complicated process but in the most simple terms, when the body is low on carbs there is limited glucose. Glucose runs most of the body’s cells. When glucose runs out protein must do the work of glucose. One main goal of protein is to provide the body with immeasurable immune defenses. When protein is used for glucose substitution it denies protein for immune defense and other uses. We need our immune defenses to be in good working order to stay healthy.

To sum up: The human body minus carbs will force altered activities among protein and fats. The body will then break down muscle and protein to make glucose. The body converts fats into ketone bodies which will result in ketosis, a potentially life threatening problem.

People who love low carb diets feel that the ketosis issue is non-problematic. However, many low carb diet plans also do suggest you use a Blood Glucose Meter to ensure you don’t drop below a specific blood glucose level. Studies show that you need 100 grams of carbohydrates a day at least. A healthy diet seemingly should not require care that is required of a disease such as diabetes. It makes you wonder how safe this diet is if it require the same maintenances as that of a life threatening disease. You’re not sick you just want to become healthier and lose weight. Look for resources at the bottom of this article.

The Truth About Low Carb Foods According to Various Organizations

The American Heart Association, the National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Cancer Society all refuse to recommend a low carb diet as the best diet choice for human bodies. All three recommend a diet in which a smaller percentage of calories are derived from protein.

The Department of Nutrition Therapy at The Cleveland Clinic reports the following possible health problems with low carb diets:

• When someone eats too much protein it can strain the kidneys causing eventual kidney disease.
• People on a low carb diet need to take extra calcium because they excrete more calcium in their urine increasing risk for osteoporosis.
• Research has shown repeatedly that high protein diets raise bad cholesterol and that can lead to stroke, heart disease, and cancer. When you consider cancer risks you also need to think about all the important antioxidants and nutrients low carb diets miss since they lack fruits and veggies.

If you’re pregnant and on a low carb diet ketosis will deprive your baby’s brain of important glucose. Fetal development and growth can be negatively affected. Low carb diets for weight loss are never recommended during pregnancy.

The Final Truth

People don’t always love the final truth about diet plans. The truth about low carb foods is that they’re not a cure-all for healthy weight loss. There’s no doubt that a very carefully planned (by your doctor) low carb diet may help you lose weight. However, it’s not a long-term solution. You cannot stay on it forever due to the health concerns. More research is needed, but long-term health has not been shown to correlate with low carb diets.

A low carb diet is not a healthy habit forming life plan. Experts continually conclude that the best way to lose or maintain weight is with regular exercise and a well-balance diet. While on a low carb diet people don’t learn to plan properly balanced meals. Eventually you’ll need to end the low carb diet. It’s a better idea to learn about eating for life right from the start.

Always talk with your doctor before starting an exercise or weight loss plan. Following are resources that can help you lose weight healthfully without the low carb side effects:

• Healthy Eating Plan
• Balanced Diet
• How to Lose Weight
• Combining Diet and Fitness