subject: Low Carbohydrate Diet and its Health Implications in Weight Loss Plan [print this page] Low Carbohydrate Diet and its Health Implications in Weight Loss Plan
Energy released from carbohydrate metabolism is very important and in some organs in the body it cannot be substituted with energy released from fat. Therefore, any diet that eliminates carbohydrate or encourages low carbohydrate consumption is setting up stage for failure. Hence the question of whether low carbohydrate diet plan is ideal is very easy to answer. The answer is obvious. It is not ideal.
As carbohydrate is known to be a rich source of energy, lowering carbohydrate intake is tantamount to lowering level of energy released. When the energy supplied is not sufficient to cope with the activities of some vital organs in the body, one tends to be fatigued and miserable all day along. Don't forget the aim of dieting is to make you have sound health and look fit, without hitches. Being miserable throughout any diet program can only mean failure.
The only fuel brain utilizes as energy is glucose which can only be richly sourced from carbohydrate metabolism. Other part of the body which can not use fat as energy source is red blood cells.
In the absence of carbohydrate, body produces ketones which serve as alternative source of energy to the brain and red blood cells that can't use fat as energy source. This diet plan has turned fat to be a major source of energy to majority of organs in the body with the exception of the brain and red blood cells. This way weight loss is achievable, but in the long run, this strategy will be marred by many life threatening health problems that range from nephritis, malignance, formation of ketone bodies (ketosis) and deficiency of vitamins.
Body water reducing effect of low carbohydrate diet has been significantly related to its weight loss induction. This effect has a potential to cause kidney damage. In addition, the high protein content in this diet has put more load on kidney. High level of cholesterol found in patient using this plan has been attributed to heavy consumption of high protein. High cholesterol level has been implicated in some cases of sudden cardiovascular damage and stroke as they cause thickening of the blood which increase chance of sudden heart attack. By the virtue of the fact that it eliminates or lacks some vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidant, this diet may precipitate malignancy. These and more are the associating health challenges one encounters during this diet plan especially during long term use.
This diet plan has attracted a lot of argument and has been highly criticized as it goes against the principle of most healthy diet meal plan that are currently being used. This plan forbids eating of fruits and vegetable. It is deficient in many vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Recently, low carbohydrate plans have been seen as high fat and dangerous.
However, if you still desire this plan, there are still plenty of healthy options to choose from with reduced risk of encountering life threatening health problems.
