Carbohydrates, protein and fat provide energy in the form of calories. Carbs are found in nearly all foods, except for animal meat and seafood. Some diets require you to severely cut back on carbs or eliminate them altogether. Since carbohydrates are one of the three main energy sources for your body, cutting them completely requires you to replace them with protein and fat. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional before beginning a new diet to prevent any negative health effects.
Macronutrients and Calories
A typical diet should provide 45 to 65 percent carbohydrates, 10 to 35 percent protein and 20 to 35 percent fat, explains the McKinley Health Center. Carbohydrates and protein provide 4 calories per g, while fat has 9 calories per g. If you cut carbs from your diet, all your calories come from fat and protein, which could cause eventual problems.
How it Works
Carbohydrates are converted into blood sugar, known as glucose, during digestion. Glucose is the primary source of energy for all cells. As blood glucose rises, a hormone called insulin also rises, explains the Mayo Clinic. When this happens, more sugar is pulled into your cells for energy. Any leftover glucose is stored in the liver and muscles for later use. The theory behind a no-carb or low-carb diet is that insulin prevents fat from being broken down, since glucose is used up first. The decrease in carbohydrates results in lower insulin levels, resulting in fat burning for energy. Some critics say that weight loss associated with this type of diet is not related to blood glucose or insulin levels.
Benefits
Eliminating carbs from your diet has a diuretic effect. You may experience initial weight loss due to loss of water, which can help you in the near future if you need to drop a few pounds. Protein and fat take longer for your body to break down. You may feel full for awhile as these foods sit in your digestive tract. This can help with weight loss since you will be less likely to overeat and feel hungry between meals. Additionally, since the types of foods you can eat are limited, you will most likely consume less calories overall.
Diet Concerns
When your body is forced to turn to fat for energy, harmful acidic chemicals called ketones are formed. Having high levels of ketones in the blood causes a condition known as ketosis which causes acid levels to increase in blood and urine. Since your digestive organs have to work extra hard to eliminate ketones, damage may occur to your liver and kidneys. Part of the diuretic effect of a no-carb diet may stem from your body pulling water to help eliminate excessive ketones. If you follow this diet for a long time, you may cause permanent damage to these organs.
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