The Problems With Low Carb Dieting

Probably the number one concern with the low carb diets is the fact that they deplete the body of glycogen which is a major source of body energy fuel.

When glycogen is depleted you will dehydrate. Yes you will lose weight but only from your body's necessary water and not fat. You will see dramatic weight loss but not from the source that you want. You will have to replace that lost water sooner or later. This rapid water loss is what makes the weight drop so fast at the beginning with these diets.

When your glycogen levels are really low, you have less fuel to burn , which can leave you feeling fatigued, tired and depressed. When you have less energy you will not want to exercise or be involved in any physical activity which drastically limits the amount of calories you burn.

Lowered glycogen levels also can lead to a loss of muscle tissue. Your muscles need glycogen for nourishment and to maintain proper range of motion. You will naturally not want to use your muscles for the simple reason that you feel that you just don't have the energy.

Not using your muscles will slowly cause them to break down and lose their tone. Your body will also even start to use protein from muscle tissue as fuel when there is little glucose available. This process, known as "Catabolism", is when the body breaks down protein in the body rather than making it.

Sadly , a fairly high percentage of people will put back all the weight lost regardless of the type of diet plan they were on , however the percentage is much higher for people on low carb diets.


Three main factors contribute to this. The loss of lean muscle tissue has resulted in a much slower overall metabolism. As muscles burn calories for fuel , the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn during the day. If you return to your pre-diet eating habits, you will actually put on weight much faster than you did before.

Next, if you begin to eat higher carb foods once again , your body will slowly start to re-gain it's lost fluids. Even though it's not fat, it can bring your weight back to where it was before before the diet creating a high level of frustration.

Lastly, low carb diets are really difficult to maintain for the long-term. It requires a superior level of will-power to allow yourself to feel so miserable and fatigued for even several weeks much less months.

The only solution for permanent weight loss is to not only consume enough carbs with each meal but to also consume the right kinds of carbs to maintain your lean muscle tissue and to speed up your metabolism. Combine this with a sensible, low impact exercise program and you will be able to maintain a healthy weight and energy level for a lifetime.