Low Carb Diets - Do they work?

Health risks

Any diet that involves a drastic reduction in the consumption of an entire food group is, by its very nature, unbalanced. The body, when following a strict low-carb diet - particularly where complex carbohydrates are forbidden - will suffer from the denial of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre that are to be found within this food group.

The increase in protein can have implications for the heart, liver and kidneys, as unprecedented strain is put on these organs.

Where the body cannot use fat as fuel - such as the brain, and red blood cells - ketone bodies are produced in lieu, and the dieter can experience bad breath, nausea and fatigue.

Do they work?

Low-carb diets are successful in that many people experience weight loss quickly, hence their popularity. It is fairly easy to lose four pounds in the first week. However, much of this is due to loss of water. Carbohydrates are stored in the liver and muscle tissues as glycogen. Each molecule of glycogen requires three molecules of water for storage, so when the body starts to use up its carbohydrate reserves, all of that water is released.

Once the dieter begins to eat carbohydrates again, the weight will be regained, especially because muscle tissue - which relies on carbohydrates for its density - will have been lost, and accordingly the metabolism will have slowed, and cannot burn calories as quickly as it used to.

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