Scientific Analysis of Popular Low Carbohydrate Diets

After studying in depth the way the human body's nutritional processes work, and considering the type of diet these processes evolved with, I must conclude that consuming carbohydrates in limited amounts is the most natural and healthy way for us to eat, not just for weight loss but for ongoing weight and health maintenance - even for persons who do not have a weight problem..

The "low carb diet" has become extremely popular in the United States in the past few years, and continues to have a large following despite the frequent criticisms by various diet experts. Although many of them are without scientific validity, some of them are on target, especially when considering the calorie intakes of some of the formulas presented.

There is a major broad issue here with all of these plans - that is whether the diet is being used merely for weight loss, or for long-term weight maintenance. As a weight loss diet, any of these plans can work, however, if it is then discarded and previous eating habits are restored it is likely that any weight lost will be regained, as with any short-term diet, however effective. And going off the low carb diet can definitely promote weight gain in excess of that which was lost, due to metabolic changes which occur.

The only sensible way to use a low carb diet for weight loss is to remain on this type of diet on an ongoing basis afterward. The question then becomes not, "is it safe for weight loss?" but, "is it safe for ongoing use as an eating plan?"

This page provides a brief synopsis of an objective scientific evaluation of each of the following low carbohydrate diets as ongoing eating plans:

Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution

Protein Power

The Zone

The Paleolithic Diet

Low Carb Diet Home Page

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