Are carb diets really that bad for you?

[Guest guest]

food for thought: Are carb diets really that bad for you?

By Alisha Farris

A consumer cannot go anywhere lately without being bombarded by low

carb ads or food choices. They are in every restaurant, fast food

establishment, and grocery store on this continent. A low carb diet

has become the hottest way to lose the pounds quickly, because after

all, obesity is on the rise in America.

However, are carbs really as bad as what the media and Dr. Atkins

want us to think? Here are the facts about carbohydrates and the

human body. You decide.

The primary role of carbohydrates in the body is to supply the body's

cells with needed energy. However, energy is not just needed for

walking and talking. The glucose made from ingesting carbohydrate

provides energy for brain cells, other nerve cells, and developing

red blood cells, too.

Without an adequate amount in supply, the body must turn to protein

and then to fat. Protein and fat have important jobs of their own in

the body and cannot be converted to energy at the same rate. Fat

cannot be totally broken down to energy, and instead forms ketone

bodies. This is the state of ketosis that low carb dieters desire.

Ketone bodies accumulate in the blood and urine which disturbs the

body's acid-base balance. In order keep protein and fat from being

broken down, the body needs about 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrate a

day, depending on the person.

So, will cutting these carbohydrates a body needs make a person lose

weight? In the first week of a low carb diet, large amounts of fluid

and electrolytes are lost through ketosis and the result is a quick

five- to 10-pound weight loss, which is primarily fluid. A person

continues to lose weight because this person has cut out all the

foods he or she has a weakness for. Pizza, chips, French fries,

pasta, breads, cookies, cake and candy are no longer allowed. The

person's caloric intake has dramatically dropped so weight is lost.

Think about it. When a person is going to indulge in something, what

is it? A whole bag of the favorite chips they have been craving all

day long? Or a half pound of bacon? For most people it is the chips,

and when those are not allowed any more, the caloric intake drops

significantly.

Also, foods high in protein and fat make a person feel full longer.

Less hunger also promotes a decreased caloric intake. Weight loss is

always achieved, at least temporarily, when you decrease caloric

intake.

However, a true test of a good diet is prolonged weight loss and

keeping it off. Also, the body should be becoming healthier as it

loses weight. Outside weight loss is not very beneficial, if the

inside is still unhealthy.

There are many serious risks associated with these low carb diets.

One big risk is heart disease because of high saturated fat and

cholesterol intake. Many people report a reduction in cholesterol

when starting on this diet. A temporary reduction is quite common

because weight loss has occurred, which makes pumping a little easier

on the heart. However, it usually does not last long.

Cancer is a risk because the diet is low in fiber and phytochemicals

but high in artificial sweetners. Fiber and phytochemicals are found

in many starchy foods and vegetables. Although this diet does

encourage vegetables, most people still do not consume enough fiber

and phytochemicals and opt for fatty foods instead.

Another risk is osteoporosis because of low calcium intake (milk is

not allowed) and high calcium excretion. Any time protein intake is

higher than recommended the body excretes the excess protein and

protein carries calcium out with it, which is very hard on the

kidneys not to mention your bones.

Gout is also a risk, and is characterized by elevated levels of uric

acid in the blood and urine. Ketosis disturbs the acid-base balance

in the blood and urine making it more acidic which increases risk for

gout. The uric acid build up accumulates around possibly the ear,

large toe or elbow, destroys the joint tissue, and leads to chronic

arthritis.

So will cutting carbs help you lose weight? Most definitely, cutting

carbohydrates will help you lose weight. Quite possibly, it will help

you lose a lot of weight. However, if it is not healthy for you or

your body then what is the point?

Marilyn

Moderator for

Diabetic_Recipes

dnevessr@...

Opinions expressed are solely

my own and should not be

mistaken for

Professional advice.