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Low Carb Diets: Just How Safe Are They?

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.

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

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_O'Neill