[Ian]

Low-carb diets may help you lose weight by:

* making sure that you’re satiated, since both fats are better signals to your body that “food’s here!” than carbohydrates * promoting ketosis: in ketosis/ Ketones are a byproduct of burning fats and proteins instead of carbohydrates. * leveling out your hormonal response to carbohydrates. We make the hormone insulin in response to food, particularly sugar, entering the body. It’s been hypothesized that large changes in insulin levels (for example, a large increase in response to a carb-heavy meal) trigger the storage of sugars as fat.

However, if decreasing carbs increases your fat intake, serious problems can result. In some studies, about 30% of people on low-carbohydrate diets showed an increase in cholesterol levels, even if they lost weight on the diet. Studies have also shown that low-carb diets may increase in kidney problems, especially in people who already had some kidney disease.

In addition, some studies suggest that ketosis in the Atkin’s diet is not caused just by fat burn but by burning muscles instead. Muscle loss does result in weight loss, but is unlikely to give you the look you want, or to help you function. Lastly ketosis can be fatal in diabetic - if you’re diabetic, you should speak with your doctor before starting any diet.

Women have some special issues to think about when looking at a low-carb diet. Some studies show that people on these diets lose a lot of calcium, which makes them a bad idea for women at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis. In addition, some low-carb diets do not include the right foods for a balanced intake of vitamins; while a few days of missed vitamins aren’t a problem, chronic deficiencies can lead to skin, eye, and bone damage. And for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, ketones can be dangerous for a fetus as well as for you.

Which Diet Should I Use?

The keys to weight loss are moderation and tailoring. If you’re interested in losing weight, talk with your healthcare provider about tailoring a weight-loss plan that takes into account your current health and weight-loss goals. Lowering calories and balancing nutrients, rather than focusing on a single “culprit” gives you the best chance of long-term weight reduction.

Auchincloss, E, "Byron's Weight," Times Literary Supplement, 4896, p 15, 1997

Bravata DM, et al.” Efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets: A systematic review,” Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 289, issue 14. p 1837–1850. 2003.

Meckling, K, “Comparison of a low-fat diet to a low-carbohydrate diet on weight loss, body composition, and risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in free-living, overweight men and women,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Volume 89, issue 6, pages 2717-23

Westman, EC, et al “Effect of 6-month adherence to a very low carbohydrate diet program,” American Journal of Medicine , Volume113, p. 30-36, 2002 Olsen, M., et al,”A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia,” Annals of Internal Medicine, Voume 140 pages769-777, 2004

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[NeedtoLose]

I think low fat is good, but people that follow it need to make sure they do not substitute the fat with all kinds of prepackaged foods. Prepackaged foods can have all kinds of things in them that are bad for you also.

Make sure to eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains.

[zippysgoddess]

And if someone is diabetic they have to be really careful as burning ketones can also mean your are burning muscle mass!

[NeedtoLose]

Plus, be aware that everyone needs carbs for normal brain function.

[Cyn]

I tried low carb and I did get results but like every diet where I tell myself I cant have something I eventually want it more! Frustrating I tell you! And I dont eat alot of bread but when I do have a sandwhich I want bread not a tortilla or lettuce wrap--I WANT BREAD! Of course I could use the low carb breads that are available now I guess.

[NeedtoLose]

I have always LOVED bread. I probably eight about an eighth of the amount of bread I used to eat. I use wraps most of the time when I want bread, but not daily. It is one of those things for me too. If I eat some, I want more and more and more.