Low-carbohydrate / high fat diets are on the rise again. Since Americans can't seem to lose weight the old fashioned way (eating healthy and exercising) we seem to try any thing that is new out there in the diet industry, the only thing about the low-carb / high fat diet is that it is not new at all. In fact, it has been around for at least 100 years and in that 100 years it has failed repeatedly. There are some who believe that it is the carbohydrates that we intake that are making people fat and not the refined sugars, starches, and high-fat dairy and meat products that we eat.

When you eat foods rich in carbohydrates such as breads, pasts, rice, whole grains, cereal, fruits, vegetables, some dairy products, and legumes the blood glucose rises in your body. This triggers an increase in insulin to produce glucose, and that is what causes weight gain. When you are on a low-carbohydrate diet and restrict these types of foods your body begins to burn the carbohydrate stores which are called glycogen. During the initial period of time your body releases water, not fat, and you lose weight, often very quickly. After your body has depleted the carbohydrate stores it begins to use the fat stores as an energy source. This results in ketosis, the process of burning fat for energy in the absence of carbohydrates. Ketones are byproducts of the fat that breaks down that are in the bloodstream. Ketones are then released from the body through the kidneys. Low-carbohydrate diet supporters believe that ketone production is a safe and natural condition needed for the weight loss to occur. Scientists are not as sure how safe the process of ketosis is. Low-carbohydrate diets may have a negative effect on kidney function because of the extra work of processing the ketones. The salt and water that is depleted during ketosis may cause low blood pressure, fatigue, fainting, constipation, and kidney stones. Ketones may also impair liver function. While on a low-carbohydrate diet, and excluding foods that are rich in carbohydrates, dieters will instead consume foods that are high in fat and protein such as eggs, cheese, cream, butter and meat. Typically these foods are allowed in unlimited quantities.

How does a low-carbohydrate / high fat diet and cholesterol relate to each other? Foods such as the high fatty cuts of meat, cheese, cream and butter that are allowed on the low-carbohydrate / high fat diets are all high in saturated fat and cholesterol. These are the foods that are related with increased blood cholesterol.

What does all this mean to you? Adults should get some of their calories from carbohydrates, some from fat and some from protein. That means that you can adjust your carbohydrate, protein and fat intake and see what will work out best for you without going to the extreme level of a low-carbohydrate/high fat diet.