Low carb diets can cause side effects such as excess gas, constipation, muscle weakness, and headaches. A ketogenic diet can lead to ketosis, which impairs the body’s ability to process glucose. Despite potential negative effects, low carb diets are prescribed for conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, and obesity.
The side effects of a low carb diet are primarily related to metabolism and a direct physical response to the types of food consumed. Excess gas and constipation are two of the most common problems associated with this type of diet. Often a low carbohydrate diet will draw dietary energy from increased protein, of which there may also be an excess in the body. This type of diet is often referred to as ketogenic, since insufficient carbohydrates can cause ketosis, a condition in which the individual loses unhealthy amounts of water and sodium.
Other common side effects of a low-carb diet include unusual muscle weakness or cramps and headaches. Some patients also report bad breath and unexplained rashes. These symptoms can be attributed to a deficiency of carbohydrates and sugar, which the body needs to create energy and process food properly.
A ketogenic diet is a regimen in which the consumption of carbohydrates is not enough to maintain good health. It leads to ketosis, a condition in which an excess of ketone bodies impairs the body’s ability to process glucose, a key source of energy. Ketone bodies develop as a result of the breakdown of fatty acids for energy. When there are too many ketones, fat metabolism is compromised and the body begins to excrete excess salt and water. This can often cause a deficiency in those elements.
Muscles and the liver store the energy provided by carbohydrates. Since these supplies can last quite a long time, the side effects of a low-carb diet can take a while to develop. Still, it is possible for the body to begin to malfunction in the early stages of a low-carb diet, depending on the health of the individual and the extremity of the diet.
There are several weight loss diets that focus on a low carb regimen. Many of these diets focus on high protein meals with lots of vegetables. One of the most famous is the Atkins diet, which was at the height of its popularity in the 1990s. It has since been discredited by many doctors due to the fact that while the diet helps with weight loss, rich foods in protein and fat that it promotes tend to compromise the overall health of the dieter.
Despite the many potential negative side effects of a low-carb diet, there are several conditions for which this type of regimen is prescribed. It is commonly used to treat diabetes, epilepsy, and obesity. Some doctors may also suggest it for patients with PCOS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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