Negative Side Effects of a Low-Carb Diet

Negative Side Effects of a Low-Carb Diet

Low-carb diets can be a healthy and efficient weight-loss program, but they can be risky, as carbohydrates are the only sources of energy for your crucial body organs such as the brain, central nervous system and the kidneys. According to the Mayo Clinic, low-carb diets increase the levels of blood sugar and make your body use its fat stores. However, low-cab diets have some negative side effects associated with them.

General Body Weakness
When you make a transition from a crab-dependent diet to a low-carb diet, your body needs to adjust to the changes, according to Becky Hand, a licensed and registered dietitian. Low-carb diets cause lack of energy in your body because carbohydrates play a role in the burning of fats, which produce energy. Lack of energy in your body can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches and fatigue.

Bad Breath

Low-carb diets lead to incomplete burning of fats to produce energy in your body, and in the process, ketones are produced, says Anssi H Manninen, an exercise physiologist specializing in sports nutrition and ergogenic aids. Excess ketones in your body come out through your urine and saliva. This causes bad breath among people on low-carb diets. Though you cannot do much to stop bad breath, drinking water and chewing sugar-free gum can help you suppress bad breath, says Shannon Clark, a certified personal trainer and author of "8 Low-Carb Conundrums."

Constipation
Foods in low-carb diets such as beef have little fiber and cause reduction in body fiber, which can lead to constipation. However, constipation occurs due to lack of roughage in your body regardless your nutrition plan, says Clark. You can avoid constipation by including vegetables in your diet, since they have soluble fiber that slows the movement of food in the intestines to ensure complete digestion of food.

Dehydration

Low-carb diets burn glycogen stores in your body, which have water. Excretion of ketones through your urine causes frequent urination. This loss of water leads to dehydration when you are on a low-carb diet. Dehydration leads to headaches and fatigue. Take a lot of water to replenish the lost water as a remedy to dehydration caused by low-carb diet, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Muscle Cramps
Diets low in carbohydrates has an effect on your muscles. This is caused by the dehydration due to your low-carb diet and lack of vitamins that are important for the well-being of your muscles. Muscle cramps reduce your fitness and energy levels, says Doctor Arne Astrup. Consume fruits and vegetables with essential vitamins as a remedy for muscle cramps.

Key Concepts * Low-carb diet * Effects of low-carb * Lack of carbohydrates

References * US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: Metabolic Effects of the Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diets: Misunderstood "Villains" of Human Metabolism
[ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18500949 ] * The Mayo Clinic: Low Carb Diets
[ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-carb-diet/NU00279 ] * CBSNews.com: Low-Carb Side Effects Cited
[ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/02/health/main640566.shtml ] * Bodybuilding.com: 8 Low-Carb Conundrums
[ http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/8-low-carb-conundrums.html ] * SparkPeople: The Truth About Carbohydrates
[ http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=590 ] * The Mayo Clinic: Glycemic Index Diet; What's Behind the Claims
[ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glycemic-index-diet/MY00770 ]