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By Jim O'Neill

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:
www.mrgymfitness.com

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