Low carb diets have caught on the fancy of over 30 million Americans who are swearing by it for remaining healthy and fit. But how much of it is hype, misconception and how far is it safe? Surely this is one of the most confusing areas of health management with conflicting opinions clouding the mind of a new entrant in the world of health and fitness. While high carbohydrate content in our diets have led us to led a life smeared with problems like obesity and diabetes which are also finding a firm ground because of a sedentary lifestyle, cutting down on carbohydrates completely and going for a diet without any grains, fruits and vegetables is also leading us to  abnormal deficiency states. Many such low carb diet plans are without proper supply of essential nutrients including fiber, vitamins, folic acid as well as numerous healthy minerals.

It is important to remember at the outset that any regimented diet plan, whether high or low on carbs can lead to significant weight loss in the initial stages of dieting. But can such weight loss promise any permanence? How do you see yourself after a year or two with such diet plans?

There are a large variety of low carb diets which people have resorted to. For instance, some low carb diets promote intake of protein and fat in the total calorie count for a day. Atkins and Protein Power plans limit carb intake to the extent that the body becomes ketogenic. Zone and Life Without Bread on the other hand are less strict. Sugar Busters is another low carb plan which aims to cut down on sugar completely or foods which enhance the sugar levels in the body. Analytical and research reports of results of such low carb diets are scarce and inconclusive. The only moot point that comes out of such diet plans is that if you wish to lose weight following a low carb diet plan, you have to eat restrict calorie intake for an extended period of time. Though the safety aspects of such low carb diets have not yet been scientifically established, no short term adverse effect on cholesterol, glucose or insulin levels and blood pressure has been reported. It is however scientifically proved that when you severely cut down on carbohydrates from your diet it can result in a situation called ketosis. The potential side effects of this condition are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and mental confusion. Tiredness and constipation are also the common side effects during the initial phase of this diet plan.

In summary, low carb diets reveal the following facts:

-         For long term weight loss, the efficacy of low carb diets or any other form of dieting would be the same.

-         There is hardly any information regarding the long term safety or efficacy of a low carb diet plan.

-         People usually get bored of such diet plans and reverts to their old eating habits sooner than later.

In case you are thinking of opting for a low carb diet, remember some fats are necessary for the body as they reduce risks of a range of ailments.