Low-carbohydrate diet: Encyclopedia II - Low-carbohydrate diet - Arguments against low-carbohydrate diets

Low-carbohydrate diet - Arguments against low-carbohydrate diets

In 2004, a Canadian court ruled that foods sold in Canada could not be marketed with reduced or eliminated carbohydrate content as a selling point because carbohydrates were determined not to be a health risk, and that existing "low carb" and "no carb" packaging would have to be phased out by 2006.

Low-carbohydrate diet - Side effects

Critics contend that low carbohydrate diets are not without harmful side effects. Very low carbohydrate consumption can lead to the metabolic state called ketosis, which may cause headaches, tiredness, nausea, dehydration, dizziness, and an unusual sweet-smelling breath odor. The lowered intake of dietary fiber that often accompanies dramatically reduced carbohydrate intake can result in constipation if not supplemented. For example, this has been a criticism of the Induction stage of the Atkins diet (note that today the Atkins diet is more clear about recommending a fiber supplement during Induction).

Replacement of calories from carbohydrates with meat may result in high consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol, which many authorities believe will increase the risk of heart disease. Moreover, it has been hypothesised that the kidneys can become overworked and that a related change in blood acidity can lead to bone loss, but trials testing the hypothesis have found no evidence of kidney damage or loss of bone.

Low-carbohydrate diet - Environmental impact

Critics of low-carbohydrate diets also point out that from an environmental point of view an increased consumption of animal protein places a great burden on the world's natural resources and is not sustainable. They also point out that the explosive growth in global population over the last few centuries was only possible because of grain crops.

Advocates of the diet counter environmental criticisms by arguing that the majority of grain farm land was formerly poor quality pasture fit only for raising livestock and that it has been turned to grain production only through massive government subsidy and the use of environmentally questionable fertilizers and pesticides.Et.Al

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Arguments against low-carbohydrate diets", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki