WOMAN'S WAY - September 2006

Most people are aware that following a diet that is extremely low in carbohydrates creates the body weight loss. However diets low in carbs tend to request lower intakes of fruits and vegetables, unfortunately creating a loss in micronutrients that they provide.

Most authorities and advocates of the low-carb diets recognize these deficiencies and recommend that you take vitamins and minerals to supplement while you are on the diet. However, many of the carotenoid compounds, phytonutrients and other "nutraceuticals" obtained from vegetables aren't included in the most standard vitamin and mineral supplements and can be provided only by true vegetable extracts. These very compounds neutralize free radicals and protect the body's cells against damage.

Diets low in carbs are also extremely low in dietary fiber. So low that the typical low-carb diet provides only between three to five grams of dietary fiber per day, as opposed to the recommended 25 to 30 grams. A low-carb diet can lead to constipation which slows weight loss down.

To make conditions worse for the health of your bowel, the body will lose 4-10 pounds of water within the first week of a low-carb diet. As your body becomes depleted in glucose from lack of carbohydrates, it will begin to use glycogen (stored glucose) in your muscle cell for energy. For each gram of stored glycogen you liberate for energy you lose four grams of water. This loss of water leads to a state of de-hydration which can draw water from the bowel and promote a hardened, dry stool. In general, de-hydration happens to be one of the leading causes of constipation and can certainly create and elimination problem.

Here's a suggestion for those of you who want to do a low-carb diet but don't want the potential risk we have talked about here. Get on a low-carb cleanse which is designed to help make up for the two biggest drawbacks to being on a low-carb diet: insufficient fruits and vegetables in the diet and a high risk of constipation.

Whenever you choose a specific diet, make sure you do your research. You never know what other unnecessary problems you can be causing your body to go through. Visit your local compounding pharmacy and see if they have suggestions for supplements that can help with your diet.