The Fantasy & Trauma of Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein (LCHP) Diets

(For references and more technical detail, please see the Article version of this post)

Have you tried losing weight on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet (LHCP)? Chances are the answer is ‘yes’, especially since this approach to dieting has been repackaged many times over. Unfortunately, the joke was on you.

Not only do LHCP diets have a terrible track record for long-term weight reduction, there is ample evidence mounting over the past forty years that they are detrimental to your health. In 2001, the American Heart Association warned of the increased risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke, and several types of cancer as a result of the LCHP diet fantasy. A number of studies have even found it to increase death.  Ultimately, the fantasy & trauma of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet sets the stage for chronic disease.

So, why were so many duped by the low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet fantasy? Because, at first, people did lose weight.  After multiple unsuccessful dieting adventures, people were desperate for the typical “quick fix” diet to miraculously make them “healthy”.  But, the physiology behind this staged, fantasy weight loss is very simple: losing vital body water and using up carbohydrate (glycogen) stores in your body. Thus, losing 5-10 pounds in one week is completely possible. But, never mind the absolute disarray and imbalance the body must endure during such a period…. never mind the trauma!

Simply put, LCHP diets produce a state of ketosis through a form of starvation which causes the body to become acidic.  In order to protect itself, the body will continue to “wash out” excess acid through the kidneys lending to a state of dehydration.  Furthermore, due to the low carbohydrate intake the body uses up its glycogen stores, a process that requires significant amounts of water. So, that quick weight loss during induction is due to losing large amounts of water from all the cells of the body. This explains why people complain of always feeling thirsty.  When chronically acidic, the body will try to neutralize the acid by pulling calcium phosphate from bone causing osteoporosis.  This is our body’s way of “putting out the fire” of the excess acid and “cooling down” the overworked/stressed organs and their cells.

But, as most dieters quickly find out, the LCHP diet is a fantasy.  In the long-term, most people regain their lost weight, and some even gain back more. As soon as they resume carbohydrate intake, the state of ketosis will reverse and the body replaces lost water/electrolytes and restores glycogen in the body causing a rebound weight gain. For those that successfully lose weight and keep it off, the reason is usually because of a decreased total caloric intake in general. However, these people usually have nutrient and fiber deficiencies that help set the stage for chronic disease.

Aside from regaining weight, listed below are a number of concerning symptoms and disease processes worth mentioning.  Most of these symptoms are related to a combination of ketosis/acidosis, dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte loss/disturbances, and low fiber intake. Such adverse effects of the low-carbohydrate, high-protein fantasy and trauma diet are (and not limited to):

• Symptoms of Ketosis (dehydration, dizziness, headache, lethargy, fatigue, mental “fog”, nausea, stomach ache, sleep disturbance, bad breath, shortness of breath)
• Symptoms of low fiber (constipation, bloating, indigestion, acid reflux/heartburn, flatulence)
• Muscle cramps
• Irritability
• Depression/apathy
• Increased uric acid and/or gout attacks
• Ketogenic state/ketosis
• Chronic Metabolic Acidosis
• Osteoporosis
• Renal stress and/or damage
• Loss of minerals (especially calcium)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Optic Neuropathy
• Increased serum cholesterol and LDL
• Nephrolithiasis/Kidney Stones
• Liver Damage
• Atherosclerosis/Vascular Diseases
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Possible abnormal fetal development

So, are you still interested in a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet?   If you’re on a LCHP regimen, do not be discouraged. MENDication can help free you of this joke; it can bring you back to reality from fantasy and repair the trauma.   But, time is of the essence.   Some basic steps to take immediately: stop the protein overdose, eat more vegetables and fruits (yes, do not fear complex carbohydrates), eat more naturally, drink plenty of water, and remain active.  Again, straying from healthy, complex carbohydrate foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains/brans/oats, and various legumes is to the detriment of your health.

MENDication’s program is personalized and helps the individual to effectively lose weight and keep it off.  Of course, this is only a sign of its efficacy as its primary focus is to optimize metabolism, nutrition, digestion, and detoxification in order to restore vitality and health.

Don’t allow this joke to be played on you or your loved ones.  Take your MENDication today.

Tagged as: Acidifying Foods, Fad Diets, High-Protein diet, HPLC Diet, Ketosis, LCHP Diet, Low-Carbohydrate Diet, MENDication, Natural Weight Loss, Obesity