Long-term low-carb - how safe?
05:58 PM PST on Saturday, March 20, 2004
By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News
Never before has a diet plan been such a hit. The low carb craze is everywhere - in bookstores, grocery stores, and restaurants. But the big question? Is it safe to go low-carb long term?
A low-carb diet has transformed newlywed Melia Mann's figure and her life. She lost 140 pounds
?I weighed over 300 pounds and needed to lose the weight, a low-carb diet really helped me to do that,? she said.
Melia lost 140 pounds in two years. These overalls serve as a reminder to stick with her diet forever.
?I know I have to be strict with my carbs the rest of my life,? she said.
That may not be a good idea, said weight loss specialist Dr. Rachel Swigris.
?The long-term use of these diets is unknown but some of the risks are in increased osteoporosis or kidney stones,? she said.
Long-term use is defined as longer than six months.
?Anytime you talk about cutting out a complete food group, that's not sound advice,? she said.
Registered dietitian Lisa Richardson agreed.
?Carbohydrates do not make you fat, but too many can cause you to put on weight,? she said.
She said the diet will work, and for some its the jump start they need.
?You will see on the scale 10 pounds lost sometimes in a week and that's encouraging for a person but long term I don't really like it,? she said.
Instead of following the low-carb craze dieters would be much better off eating smaller portions and exercising more.
It?s a plan that has helped Ann Sharon shed 35 pounds.
Other potential problems with sticking with low carbs for too long are an increased risk of gout and colon cancer.
If you do decide to go on the Atkins diet, be sure to read the book first since there's more to it than just eliminating carbs from your diet.
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