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Health Risk of Low Carbohydrate Diet

People from all over the world have probably heard word of the revolutionary low carbohydrate diet. The reason for its popularity is that it goes against the traditional dietary wisdom that meat makes you fat. Low carb diets, on the other hand, claim that it is carbohydrates and sugar that makes us fat, and so encourages the consumption of meat and other high-protein products. But despite its raging success, there is a certain amount of risk of low carbohydrate diet that is worth looking into.

A good weight loss diet should combine the shedding of unwanted pounds and the retention of optimum health. Many experts are concerned that this is not achieved in a low carb weight loss program. They claim that the health risk of low carbohydrate diet outweighs the loss of weight the dieter achieves. This is probably because this diet does not recommend the consumption of high-fiber foods and those rich in complex carbohydrates – which are important for health. For example, the Atkins diet forbids the intake of fruit during the first two weeks of the diet, called the Induction Phase.

Studies show that a disadvantage of a low carb diet is the increased risk to certain diseases and disorders to which the dieter is exposed. Because you are encouraged to partake of foods rich in fats, protein, and cholesterol, it is logical to assume that there would be a greater chance that you would develop heart disease or associated diseases. Another concern is that excessive amounts of protein in the body can increase uric acid levels, which can lead to gout, one of the most painful forms of arthritis, or to kidney stones.

The risk of getting osteoporosis is another disadvantage of a low carb diet. Once again, high protein levels are the culprit. Too much protein can lead to the secretion of calcium – an essential component of bone health – in one’s urine. Moreover, some low-carb dieters do not eat enough fiber, and this can result in poor absorption of calcium. Another concern has to do with the loss of lean muscle. As the pounds drop away, so does lean muscle (especially without exercise). And this loss of lean muscle can slow down your metabolism, making weight gain even quicker.

So what is one to do? Should you embark on that low carb diet or not? All weight loss diets pose risks of their own. Before attempting to reduce weight, especially if you need to lose a large amount of pounds, consult your doctor. He or she can then help you evaluate the risk of low carbohydrate diet and help you decide if that’s the way you should go.