Low Carb Diets;
Just How Safe Are They?
by
Jim O'Neill
Whether you're in a grocery store, a restaurant or just
watching the commercials on TV during your favorite show, you
are bombarded with ads and special menu's singing the praises
of the virtues of the low carb diet. This low carb craze has
virtually swept the western world and has dieters everywhere
seeking out low carb this and low carb that with many reporting
weight loss as a result!!!
This is great news right? Finally, an easy diet plan that makes
you lose weight and you can eat lots of food as long as they
have almost no carbs in them!!! But have we really struck gold,
or have we simply struck fools gold? Is the idea of eating a low
carb diet for weight loss really a good idea or are there any
side affects that may come with these diets that adversely
affect our health?
Consider this, many people want something for nothing and this
way of thinking also applies to those looking to lose weight
but unfortunately there is no miracle substitute to good sound
nutritional practices. Our society is one that values "quick
fixes" which is why the low carb diet plan is a perfect fit for
this society's way of thinking. This is what makes it so
appealing.
It is true that a large amount of weight will be lost as
glycogen (stored carbohydrate) depletes in the muscles and
liver, but this weight is from water, not fat loss which is not
good for body composition or overall health. It is also true
that the body will rely on free fatty acids for fuel when
muscle glycogen is depleted, but the body will rely much more
on amino acids (protein) from the breakdown of lean (muscle)
tissue as well so while you may burn fat, you will also burn
more muscle as well and remember, your heart is also a muscle!
In addition to this, those on a carb-restricted diet have lower
energy levels and shorter time to fatigue during physical
activity which means any activity will likely be in shorter
durations.
The fact is you need carbohydrates for your brain, heart, and
muscles as well as other vital organs. The main fuel of the
brain and central nervous system is glucose, which is obtained
most easily from carbohydrates. If carbohydrates remain
unavailable for several days the body tries to conserve protein
by producing an alternate fuel source known as ketones from the
partial burning of fatty acids. As this breakdown continues,
these ketones build in the blood causing a condition known as
ketosis. Initial weight loss is not from fat but from water
from the kidneys trying to rid the body of excess ketones.
Low carb diets make the blood more acidic, causing
potentially
serious and unwanted side effects like headaches, bad breath,
dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Also when carbohydrate stores
are depleted in the body, the rate at which fat is metabolized
is reduced meaning that carbohydrates are necessary for the
ability to metabolize fat effectively. And keep this in mind,
carbohydrates do not make you fat, calories in general make you
fat so the most effective weight loss plan is simply to adjust
your calorie intake to be in the right range for your own
individual needs with the proper balance of nutrients.
The fact is, just because you seem to notice a loss of overall
body weight in the initial stages of a low carb diet doesn't
mean it is a good solid safe means of going about embarking on
a weight loss venture. There is no substitute and there will
never be a good substitute to a good sound nutritional plan
coupled with a moderate exercise plan and making that plan a
lifetime venture.
About The Author: Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable
information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and
nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at:
http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php
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