Carbohydrates are vital to health. Extremely low-carb diets can lead to serious health problems such as kidney stress, liver disorders and gout. Short-term side effects may include constipation, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, repeated headaches, difficulty in concentrating and the loss of energy.
A recent survey found that, compared to other Americans trying to lose weight, many low-carb dieters are making poor dietary choices: 50 percent are increasing their consumption of steak, 30 percent are eating more bacon and 43 percent are eating less fruit.
Low-carbohydrate diets conflict with decades of solid scientific research that clearly encourages us to reduce saturated fat and boost fruit, vegetable and fiber intake. Restricting carbohydrates stresses vital organs and alters brain metabolism while offering no advantages in terms of either fat loss or long-term weight control.