5 Things You Need to Know About Low Carb Diet Risks

1. Good vs. Bad Carbohydrates

The biggest misconception proliferated in the low carb diet craze is that all carbohydrates should rate the same in regard to health. Carbohydrates are the body's prime source of energy, and while bad carbohydrates which originate from processed foods, hydrogenated oils and sugars should be avoided as much as possible, carbohydrate-rich whole foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and cold pressed oils actually increase our quality of life and help us to lose weight.

2. Cutting the Fat

One of the biggest diet risks when eating low carb foods is the excess of harmful fats. Again, it is important to recognize the difference between good and bad fats. Saturated fats, which are present in all animal products such as eggs, meat, fish and dairy products, lead to high levels of cholesterol, heart disease and weight gain. The success of low carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, lies in the fact that these low carb, fatty, high-protein foods help you to feel satisfied more quickly, meaning you consume fewer calories in the long run. While this can result in rapid weight-loss, sustaining a low-carb diet over a long period of time can lead to other serious medical problems.

3. Intestinal Overload

Low carb foods which are generally promoted in low carb diet plans, such as meat and dairy products, are far more difficult for the body to digest. Additionally, these foods lack the living enzymes found in fresh fruits and vegetables which the body needs to digest and absorb the nutrients from our food. While limiting carbohydrates may help you to shed a few pounds, it can lead to serious digestive problems such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, vitamin and mineral deficiency and chronic constipation.

4. Shedding Pounds... and Bone Mass

Used long-term, a low carb diet can increase the chances of osteoporosis as the increased intake of protein in a low carb diet can lead to multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies, the most alarming being calcium. Calcium supplements are not enough to ward off a reduction of bone loss, as many fruits and vegetables restricted in a low-carb diet help to facilitate the absorption of calcium in the body.

5. Rapid Weight Loss With Questionable Long Term Results

While the rapid weight loss seen in low carb diets is undeniable, you must look at how the weight loss occurs. Robbing the body of carbohydrates as an energy source forces the body to burn protein and fat, which not only results in the loss of body fat, it also leads to loss in lean muscle mass. The more lean muscle mass present on your body, the higher your metabolism, so a decreased metabolism is one of the long term diet risks of going low carb. Additionally, the lack of muscle mass decreases your endurance and athletic performance, reducing the number of calories you burn and again, working against your long term weight loss goals.