Low Carb Diet Dangers
Dangers of Low Carb Diets
An outline of the report by
The Nutrition Committee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism of the American Heart Association states, “High protein diets are not recommended because they restrict healthful foods that provide essential nutrients and do not provide the variety of foods needed to adequately meet nutritional needs. Individuals who follow these diets are therefore at risk for compromised vitamin and mineral intake, as well as potential cardiac, renal, bone, and liver abnormalities overall.”
While a few recent studies have noted that high protein, low carb diets will get short-term weight loss. Diets high in saturated fat, are associated with risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Diets high in meat protein have been known to increase the risk of kidney problems, osteoporosis, and some cancers.
Because high fiber is found only in foods made from plants. high protein, high fat, low carb diets tend to be low in fiber. Low fiber intake can lead to colon cancer and heart disease, diabetes, and constipation.
High protein, low carb, diets cause the body to induce ketosis, which is also in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and starvation. When carbohydrate intake is insufficient to provide glucose to the cells that rely on it as an energy source. Ketone bodies are formed from fatty acids. An increase in ketones can upset the body’s acid balance, causing acidosis. Even mild acidosis can have bad results, including low blood phosphate levels, loss of calcium from bones, high risk of osteoporosis, and a higher risk of forming kidney stones.
Diets having, high-protein, high fat, low fiber, low carbs, when used, are causing a risk of diseases and health problems, despite the loss of weight that might happen with their use.
Findings of the Report
As of December 15, 2003, 429 individuals reported experiencing problems with high-protein, high-fat, carbohydrate-restricted diets via the online registry. Table 1 lists the common health concerns identified on the online form. Table 2 summarizes health problems noted by seven or more individuals in the write-in section of the form.
Table 1. Common Problems Reported by Registrants
44% reported constipation
40% reported loss of energy
40% reported bad breath
29% reported difficulty concentrating
19% reported kidney problems: kidney stones (10%), severe kidney infections (1%), or reduced kidney function (8%)
33% reported heart-related problems, including 13 individuals reporting heart attack, stent placement, or bypass surgery, 26 reporting arrthymias, 42 reporting other cardiac problems, and 58 reporting elevated serum cholesterol levels
9% reported gallbladder problems or removal
5% reported gout
4% reported diabetes
4% reported colorectal (1%) or other cancers (3%)
3% reported osteoporosis
Table 2. Other Problems Reported by Seven or More Individuals:
31 reported severe gastrointestinal problems including irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulititis, ulcers, heart burn, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or cramps
19 reported severe mood swings, apathy, general malaise, or depression
18 reported peripheral neuropathy, pain, cramps, tingling, or numbness in their limbs
16 reported chronic or severe diarrhea
15 reported experiencing hypoglycemia or feeling fatigued, shaky and weak
15 reported vertigo, dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
15 reported severe or repeated headaches
10 reported menstrual irregularities or severe menstrual problems
8 reported chest pain
8 reported high blood pressure
7 reported nausea
7 reported increasing weight or failure to lose weight
Constipation
Constipation was reported by 44% of the registrants. One registrant reported severe problems with constipation: "I frequently resorted to Laxatives and sometimes went 2 weeks without a bowel movement" In one study, 68% of subjects on a low carb diet reported problems with constipation.Lack of Energy Loss of energy was reported by 40 percent of registrants. One registrant noted feeling “exhausted, dizzy, and nauseated before almost passing out on the 5th day of the diet.
Bad breath was reported by 40 percent of the registrants. One registrant noted, “I was miserable on this diet. I had no appetite, no energy, and a terrible taste in my mouth all the time.
Difficulty concentrating was reported by 29 percent of the registrants. One registrant described her experience this way: “I felt horrible. I couldn’t concentrate or focus and felt foggy all the time.”
Reported Kidney Problems (& Gout) on Low Carb Diets
Kidney problems were reported by 19 percent of registrants: 10 percent reported kidney stones, 1 percent reported severe kidney infections, and 89 percent reported reduced kidney function.
Heart Disease Risks on Low Carb Diets
Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, atrial fibrillation, coronary arteriosclerosis, and high serum cholesterol, was reported by 33% of the registrants.
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