Low carbohydrate diets restrict or eliminate carbohydrates from your diet; some low carb diets reintroduce this nutrient into your diet. These diets base their plans on the principle that obesity and health-related problems are caused by sugar cravings. Restricting carbohydrate intake reduces cravings, and you consume fewer calories and lose weight. Many problems with low carb diets occur because you get rid of a nutrient from your daily caloric intake.
Eating Plan
The premise of low carb diets is that carbohydrates raise insulin levels, sending blood sugar to the cells. This action prevents your body from breaking down fat, decreasing your body's ability to burn fat and lose weight. A Mayo Clinic staff writer says the diets focus on meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and a few non-starchy vegetables. You limit or eliminate grains, beans, fruits, breads, desserts and starchy vegetables. You can eat a few carbohydrates carbohydrate.
What are Carbohydrates?
The two types of carbohydrates are simple and complex, and they give your body energy. The brain needs carbohydrates to function properly. Simple carbohydrates found in sodas, cookies and candy give your body quick energy, but you experience a sudden crash a few hours later. Fruits and milk contain natural simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates digest slower than simple carbohydrates and are good sources of fiber. These carbs are healthier than many simple carbs and include whole grains. According to the Children's Hospital Boston Center for Young Women's Health website, carbohydrates don't cause weight gain and get stored as fat unless you overindulge.
Ketosis
Low carb diets causes ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body does not have enough carbohydrates to fuel the body. The body has to use proteins and fats in order to make up for the low amount of carbohydrates in the body. Dr. Richard A. Kunin says that when protein is used as the primary energy source, nitrogen filters into the bloodstream. The kidneys work harder to excrete urinary water because of sodium loss. Using fat as an energy source causes the release of ketones into the bloodstream. Ketones are fat reserves that the body uses for energy in times of starvation. Ketone deposits leave the body via urine. Long-term ketosis leads to kidney and liver damage.
High Fat Consumption
You eat lots of fat on low carb diets, some of which is high in saturated fats. Low carb diets like the Atkins Diet include high fat foods like bacon, steak, whole milk, eggs, cheese, butter and ice cream. Saturated fats are associated with health conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol and high triglycerides. The Center for Young Women's Health website says excessive protein consumption leaches calcium from the body and overworks the kidneys.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Dieters have to take multivitamins because carbohydrates contain vitamins needed for overall health. Fruits, vegetables and grains contain fibers that assist digestion. Fruits also contain antioxidant vitamins that protect the body from cell damage from free radicals. A healthy diet consists of a balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
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