Carbohydrates and body weight-How it affects weight gain and weight loss

Carbohydrates are essential for a well-balanced diet and healthy body. They provide the only fuel source for many vital organs, including the brain, central nervous system and kidneys. The digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into glucose and the pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin to help the glucose move from the blood into the cells.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Why Do Carbohydrates Make You Gain Weight?

The popular phrase that “you are what you eat” many not be true when it comes to weight gain and fat storage. Dietary fat is not necessarily stored as body fat, while carbohydrates are easily stored as body fat. Carbohydrates are found in many of the foods typically consumed in most of our families’ diet. High-carb breakfast foods include breakfast cereals, toast, jam, milk, yogurt, granola bars and fruits, and other meals may also include large amounts of carbohydrates, such as bread, pizza crust, rice, potatoes and pasta. Looking at the ingredient content of this food stuff you will notice that they are real source of weight gain and possibly obesity.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Increased Hunger

One of the reasons why carbohydrates lead to weight gain is the fact that their consumption leaves people feeling hungry and how does this take place? The consumption of carbohydrates results in the release of insulin into the body system and insulin has the tendency of removing the nutrients from the bloodstream in the expectation or to create room for the arrival of more nutrients, this practice will always leave people feeling not quite satiated – even hungry. When the body feels hungry and unsatisfied, the habit or desire for food will be created because of the hunger being felt. This way one is likely to continue eating time and again and as a result gain more weight in the process.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Carbohydrate Addiction

The consumption of carbohydrates can actually cause an addiction for many people, because of the serotonin release they induce. Serotonin is a brain chemical that improves the mood and induces a relaxing effect by decreasing stress and anxiety as well as reducing pain. People with low serotonin levels may therefore reach for more and more carbohydrates in an attempt to feel better, which can eventually lead to weight gain.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Fat Storage

After eating carbohydrates, the pancreas responds by producing insulin, which is mainly responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by letting the carbohydrates broken down into sugar; enter the cells of the liver and muscles to be used for energy. High levels of circulating insulin, which are associated with the consumption of carbohydrates, help with the storage of carbohydrates and excess calories not required for immediate use as fat. In other words, carbohydrates promote the release of insulin, which in turn promotes fat storage.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Low Carbohydrate Diets for Weight Loss

Many studies have proven the effectiveness of diets with a lower carbohydrate intake for weight loss, according to a study published in 2008 in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Obese men were assigned to either a very low carbohydrate intake, with 4 percent of the calories as carbohydrates, or a moderate carbohydrate diet, with about 35 percent of the calories as carbohydrates. Although participants were allowed to eat to satiety in both groups, the group with the lowest carbohydrate intake lost significantly more weight in four weeks, about 14 lbs. compared to 9.6 lbs. in the moderate-carbohydrate group. The researchers conducting this study found that diets with a very low carbohydrate intake and higher fat intake resulted in significantly less hunger, which facilitates the weight loss process.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Short term effects of low carbohydrate diets

In the short term, low-carbohydrate diets may cause you to lose weight because they restrict kilojoules or energy. The body begins to use body stores of glucose and glycogen (from the liver and muscles) to replace the carbohydrates it is not getting from food. Around 3 g of water is needed to release 1g of glycogen, so the rapid initial weight loss on a low-carbohydrate diet is mostly water, not body fat.

As carbohydrate stores are used up, the body begins to rely on other sources of fuel such as fat. This can lead to the development of ketones in the body, which can make the body acidic. This can lead to metabolic changes, which may be dangerous for some people, such as those with diabetes.

Some people may also experience problems with a low-carbohydrate diet, including:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Bad breath
• Loss of appetite.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Long term effects of low carbohydrate diets

A diet low in carbohydrates but high in saturated fat is a bit uncertain and the potential effect on human’s life is currently not known however some experts believe that it is a recipe for a heart attack. Because of the uncertainty more research is needed to bring clarity to the safety of very low carbohydrate diets. Nevertheless some of the possible long term effects may include the following:

• Weight gain – when a normal diet is resumed, some muscle tissue is rebuilt, water is restored and weight quickly returns.

• High cholesterol, abdominal obesity and obesity-related disorders – diets that are high in protein and fats are associated with a number of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. This can occur if the diet is very high in fat, particularly from high-fat meats such as salami, sausages and bacon.
• Kidney problems – can occur in people with impaired kidney function or diabetes.
• Osteoporosis and related conditions – are due to loss of calcium from the bones.

Carbohydrates and body weight-Weight loss needs a healthy approach

A diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products, and moderate in fat and kilojoules, is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.

Vegetarians and people who consume predominantly plant-based diets are generally slimmer and have much lower rates of obesity, heart disease and cancer, compared to people who eat meat-based diets. This supports current thinking that diets high in unrefined carbohydrates help to prevent overweight and obesity.

Ultimately, to avoid weight gain, energy intake should not be more than energy output over a period of time. Avoiding large portion sizes and limiting intake of saturated fats and added sugars will help keep energy intake in check. Regular exercise is also critical for long-term weight loss success. For more in-depth information about weight gain and weight loss doctor Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will be very resourceful for you and your loved ones. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts will be there for you to help you in all stages of your weight condition while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

Carbohydrates and body weight-How it affects weight gain and weight loss