Low-Carbohydrate Diets - Essay Example

At this stage, a dieter may feel sluggish and tired and may experience low levels of energy, due to deficient level of carbohydrate, since carbohydrate is the major source of energy in the human body (paras.4,5). Furthermore, with the low-level of carbohydrate in the human body, the protein will be burned to produce energy as a replacement for the function of carbohydrates. That’s why some low-carb diets menu includes high-protein diets. Yet, the main function of the protein in the human body is for growth and repair, such as making new cells and repairing damaged cells.

So, burning protein for energy source will set aside the other function of the protein in the human body, therefore losing its main function. An article on the internet source reminds us that using carbohydrate to provide energy for the body allows the protein to be saved for its main function. It asserted that the protein-sparing effect of carbohydrates “conserves protein for muscle tissues” (DeVault, 2011). If the protein will perform the supposed function of carbohydrate of supplying energy to the body, it seems that the high-protein diet as a supplement for the low-carb diet is suitable.

But that is not sensible because according to some research, the abundance of protein in the human body system may lead to several health problems such as heart disease and cancer. So, excess proteins must undergo deamination, primarily by the liver, a body process that will remove amino groups form the excess proteins and converting it into usable resources such as hydrogen and carbon. This process may tend to occur during physical bodily exercise (Sumayao, 2011, paras.1,2). Yet, in its continued discussion, though the process of deamination is favorable, an abundance of it is unhealthy because an increased activity of the liver and kidneys may tend to tear down the organs and may lead to damage and failure.

So, to avoid this consequence, limiting the number of proteins in the diet as to the levels near to the suggested daily allowance is highly recommended (para.6). It turned out that even there are positive results of low-carb diets in reducing body weight, this method is not beneficial to health since prolonged low-carb diets will pose negative health effects. Otherwise if taken in the short term, the weight loss will eventually return if a dieter will resume in normal eating habits. The most basic human need is a good diet, and the value of regular ideal bodily exercises cannot be ignored too.

These cannot be replaced nor be substituted by any other method. ReferencesDeVault, N. (2011). What is the protein-sparing effect? Livestrong.com. Retrieved Oct. 06, 2011 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/449805-what-is-the-protein-sparing-effect/Hanlon, K. (n.d.). The Low-down on low-carbohydrate diets. Vanderbilt University. Psychology Department. Retrieved Oct. 06, 2011 from http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ans/psychology/health_psychology/carbs.htm#Are%20low- carb%20diets%20effective?Sumayao, M. (2011). What is deamination?

wise geek. Retrieved Oct.06, 2011 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-deamination.htm