Do Low-Carb Diets Work?
drawbacks of low carb dietsBut are low carb diets safe? Some say they are not. Opponents of the philosophy claim that they can cause some of the following problems:
- They can raise cholesterol levels because many protein-rich and fatty foods contain saturated fats, which may not conform to the notion that insulin prevents fat storage.
- They may increase blood pressure because some whole grains have been shown to lower blood pressure.
- They promote osteoporosis since excess protein in a diet causes the body to eliminate calcium during urination, and can overload the kidneys.
- In some cases, low carb diets may cause diarrhea, constipation and headaches.
- They may cause lower mental acuity. The brain needs glucose to function properly.
- They can also cause weight gain. Experts opposed to low carb diets claim that such regimens have a diuretic effect on the body, making people lose weight fast, only to gain it back when taken off the diet.
In their defense, supporters of the diet claim that side effects like diarrhea, constipation and headaches are nothing more than the body readjusting to a "proper" diet after years of carbohydrate abuse, and that cholesterol and circulatory problems are avoidable if the diet is followed correctly.
the benefitsLow carb diets result in quicker weight loss than fasting. Fasting deprives the body of nutrients, so the body stores more of everything in anticipation of future periods of starvation. This slows down weight loss. Low carb diets, on the other hand, maintain a normal metabolic rate while burning fat.
Many bodybuilders claim that such diets provide great results because they leave plenty of room for protein intake.
Furthermore, low carb diets stabilize blood sugar levels — this is especially useful for diabetics. People suffering of hyperinsulinism have no choice but to follow a low carb diet.
how to start the diet
Low carb diets might sound a bit fishy at first, but some claim that we shouldn't have been consuming such high levels of carbohydrates in the first place, so drastic measures need to be taken to correct our diets. The body might take time to get used to the diet, but once it has adjusted, its supporters claim that the benefits surpass the disadvantages.
How Low-carbing Works