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by Y Tian

Created on: December 06, 2008

Most people would remember Dr. Robert Atkins and his now infamous Atkins diet. Contrary to what nutritionists have been telling the public for decades, Dr. Atkins promises weight loss while eating all that you love. How hard is it to give up wholemeal bread for eggs and bacon? Losing weight while eating good food is like a dream come true. Even in the present era where medical science has proven low carb diets to be not only unhealth and potentially harmful to one's health, people continue to believe that a low carb diet is safe.

Has everybody forgotten that Dr. Atkins died as an obese man?

Low carb diets were established on the idea that carbohydrates are absorbed into the body as glucose, the very substance that, at high amounts, contribute to type II diabetes. In addition, the body is able to turn excess glucose into fat, resulting in weight gain. However, the human body lacks the ability to turn fat back into glucose, which means that no matter how much fatty foods you eat, it would not interfere with your glucose levels and consequently, you are "immune" to type II diabetes. Conditioning your body to burn on fat instead of glucose will also, theoretically allow you to lose weight. Such a perfect combination seems indeed to be a fantastic dream that has come true.

In reality, it is just a nightmare based on very loose facts.

Firstly, it must be acknowledged that the human body does indeed lack the ability to turn fat into glucose and thus, on a high fat and protein but low carb diet, it is possible to condition your body to live on fat. However, there are several vital body components including the brain and red blood cells which can only survive on glucose or its alternative - ketone bodies, which are derived from fat. Ketone bodies, usually only present in starvation or in people with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, is highly acidic and volatile. It is often detected by the sweet-smelling breath of the patient and his/her acidic urine. For people on a low carb diet, you would know when your body starts living on fat when you reach this stage: ketoacidosis. It does not only harm your health by acidifying your blood but it also causes kidney dysfunction and exacerbates existing kidney problems.

In addition, since your body can't produce glucose from fat, your body turns to your other resource - proteins. This is the reason why often, low carb diets are combinated with high protein content levels. If the protein is not replaced at a sustainable level, you would experience muscle wasting as your body attempts to maintain your blood glucose level through protein degradation. diets that are high in protein provide roughly 25% of their calories through saturated fats. High levels of saturated fats in your body system will not only raise blood cholesterol levels but it will also predispose you to higher risks of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

In conclusion, the best way to lose weight and maintain your weight loss is not through seeking quick easy fixes. Low carb diets seem effective at first but in the long term, not only would you gain all that weight back but in the process, you are also seriously damaging your health. Low carb diets are not safe.

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