Low-carb diets such as the Atkins, Stillman and South Beach regimens have been a popular method for losing weight since the 1990s. Although these controversial diets can lead to temporary weight loss, most expert organizations advise against their use. Diets that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates may lead to a variety of long-term health problems. Consult your health care provider before making any drastic changes in your lifestyle.
Heart Disease
The American Heart Association advises against the use of low-carb diets for weight loss. Noting that these diets contain unsafe levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, the AHA states that low-carb diets increase a person's risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. According to the AHA, adults should get less than 35 percent of their total calories in the form of fat, and less than 7 percent in the form of saturated fat. Because most high-protein, low-carb foods are also rich in unhealthy fats, it is nearly impossible to eat a heart-healthy diet while pursuing a low-carb lifestyle. Low-carb diets are also unreasonably low in fiber, which is essential for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Malnutrition
According to the American Heart Association, the long-term use of low-carb diets can lead to malnutrition. Low-carb diets restrict a person's intake of nutritious foods, including whole grains, fruits and some vegetables. This can lead to inadequate levels of several vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients. The AHA also notes that low-carb diets restrict a person's intake of calcium, potassium and magnesium while simultaneously increasing sodium levels. This electrolyte imbalance can lead to hypertension and other health problems.
Cancer Risk
Over an extended period of time, low-carb diets may increase a person's risk of developing some forms of cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, colon cancer and rectal cancer appear to be more common in people consuming low-fiber, high-fat diets over an extended period of time. Red meats and processed meats, consumed liberally by low-carb dieters, also appear to elevate cancer risk. Other risk factors for colorectal cancer include smoking, heredity and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Digestive Diseases
Low-carb diets generally contain insufficient levels of dietary fiber. Because fiber is essential for normal bowel function, people eating low-carb diets frequently develop constipation and abdominal pain. Chronic constipation can increase the risk of other forms of bowel disease, including diverticulitis and diverticulosis-- two related conditions marked by pouches in the lining of the bowels. Mayo Clinic recommends a low-fat, high-fiber diet for the prevention of chronic constipation and diverticular disease.
Diabetes
According to the AHA, low-carb diets can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even though they contain little to no sugar. Mayo Clinic nutritionists Katherine Zertasky and Jennifer Nelson report that low-carb dieters tend to eat unreasonably large quantities of fat, which can worsen diabetes and prediabetes. Many popular low-carb foods, such as eggs and meat, appear to worsen glucose control and increase diabetic mortality among people who eat them in excess. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, do not follow a low-carb diet unless your health care provider recommends it.
Organ Damage
The body's major "filters"--the kidneys and liver--eliminate excess protein by-products from the body. According to the AHA, excess protein in the diet can eventually damage these organs, leading to systemic health problems, if the body is unable to efficiently rid itself of these compounds. This risk is particularly significant for people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney failure and hepatitis. Additionally, the AHA warns that excess protein can contribute to osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. Your health care provider should carefully monitor your health if you pursue a low-carb diet while coping with a medical condition.
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