The Low-Carb Diet Dilemma

Obesity is reaching epidemic levels in America and isnow the second leading cause of preventable deaths. The medical community used to see it as simply the result ofpoor eating habits or a lack of will power; now they arebeginning to define obesity as a disease that poses a direthreat to our public health.

Low carbohydrate diets have become popular as the solution in our battle to loseweight. Unfortunately the human body is equipped to usecarbohydrate as it's primary source of fuel. Sadly thelatest low-carbohydrate fad diets are not the fuel thehuman body was designed to run on. Low - carbohydratediets can cause several health concerns over time. Here are the top seven:

A. Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when excessive uricacid levels, start to crystallize in joints, leading topain and inflammation. Uric acid is a waste product in theliver's metabolism of protein. Excessive amounts of protein may lead to an inability of elimination of uric acid. TheFAT LOSS COACH recommends you should not to exceed 1-1.25grams of protein per lean pound of body weight.

B. Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard masses that form in the kidneys whenuric acid or calcium oxalate crystallizes and over timeform stones. Insoluble fiber found only in carbohydratesreduces the absorption of calcium, which cause urinarycalcium levels to drop resulting in prevention of kidneystone's formation. The FAT LOSS COACH program recommendsthe consumption of 30 or more grams of fiber daily. This isnot attainable on low - carbohydrate diets.

C. Constipation and Poor Intestinal Health

To maintain good intestinal health our bodies requirethirty or more grams of fiber daily. Fiber is divided intotwo types soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber is vitalin formation of stools and decreases the time process ofwaste elimination. Low carbohydrate diets are too low ininsoluble fiber and increase risk of constipation. Poortransit time of waste material increases risk of certaincolon cancers. Insoluble fibers prevent the buildup ofmucus on intestinal walls which lead to poor absorption ofnutrients into the body. Low carbohydrate diets areinadequate to maintain good intestinal wall health. The FATLOSS COACH program uses whole grains, oats, beans, fruitsand vegetable which are rich in soluble and insolublefiber. This lowers the risk for constipation, irritablebowel, diverticulitis, crohn's disease, hemorrhoids andcolon cancers.

D. Rise in Cholesterol Levels increase Risk Heart Disease

Risk of heart disease increases on a low carbohydrate, lowfiber diets. These diets promote excessive amounts ofanimal protein, cholesterol and saturated fat. Exuberantamounts of protein increase homocysteine, which is a biproduct of the amino acid methionine. Many experts believethat high homocysteine levels have many toxic effects whichlead to increase risk of heart disease and hardening ofarteries. Low carbohydrate, low fiber diets reduce theabsorption and elimination of digestive bile in theintestines. Digestive bile is produced in the liver fromcholesterol. A decrease in digestive bile production raisesblood serum cholesterol levels which increases risk ofheart disease. Unlike low carbohydrate diets the FAT LOSSCOACH promotes nutritional balance providing 30% protein,50% high fiber carbohydrates, 20% fat.

E. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the reduction of bone density, due to theloss of calcium over long periods of time. Several dietaryfactors increase the risk of osteoporosis. When dietaryprotein reaches excessive levels, so does the loss ofcalcium in the urine. Most studies show that a life - longhigh protein diet results in an increase of osteoporosis.Poor intestinal health due to low fiber diets causeinadequate absorption of calcium in intestines contributingto poor bone formation. This would suggest that all lowcarbohydrate diets cannot become a life long lifestyle ofeating. This is only one of many reasons why lowcarbohydrate diets provide poor Long Term Weight Control.Interestingly, a diet too low in protein can also increaserisk of osteoporosis. There is no one size fits all whenmanaging our weight. All FAT LOSS COACH programs arecustomized to the individual providing the right balance ofprotein, carbohydrate and fat.

F. Loss of Muscle and Reduction of Metabolism

Any diet that applies the restriction of calories less thanthe body's daily requirements over long periods of timewill result in the loss of lean muscle tissue and adecrease in the metabolism. All low carbohydrate diets arefocused solely on weight loss. The loss of fat comes at ahigh cost, which is the loss of lean muscle. The loss ofmuscle reduces the resting metabolic rate, which is themajor cause for rebound weight gain. Research shows 95% ofall dieters' will regain that weight back. WE DON'T FAIL ATDIET'S - DIET'S FAIL US!

G. Poor Exercise Performance and Recovery

Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for your muscles andbrain. Eating a low carbohydrate diet prevent propermaintenance of muscle and liver glycogen ( storage form ofcarbohydrate and water ), decreasing muscle performance andincreasing muscle fatigue. ATP is the main source of energyfor all muscle contraction. When a muscle is used, achemical reaction breaks down ATP to produce energy. Thereis only enough ATP stored in the muscle for a fewcontractions. More ATP is needed. There are three enzymesystems that can create more ATP. The three sources of ATPfor muscle contraction are carbohydrates, fatty acids andamino acid proteins. Carbohydrates metabolize efficientlyand are therefore used first. If carbohydrates are notavailable, your muscles metabolize fatty acids and aminoacids as secondary sources of ATP. These secondary sourcesare not efficient, which consequently cause your strengthand endurance to drop drastically.

Long term success managing weight starts with the rightapproach. If you are overweight, the real problem is thatyou have too much body fat for how much muscle you possess.A body composition solution is needed, not just a weightloss diet. Your goal should be to lose fat without losingmuscle or sacrificing your health in the process. Tomaintain your results your eating habits must develop lifelong character. Low carbohydrate diets provide initialweight loss, but at the high cost of losing muscle andreducing metabolism. They are inadequate sources of fuel tosupport exercise activity, which is vital in maintaininggood health. The risks to your health long term makes lowcarbohydrate diet's poor solutions for life long weightmanagement.