Low Carb Diets Are Not Dangerous or Unbalanced Say Experts In Groundbreaking New Report
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 07, 2025 2 weeks, 6 days, 19 hours, 51 minutes ago
Medical News: For decades, low-carbohydrate diets have sparked heated debates in the medical community. From being dismissed as dangerous fads to now gaining official recognition from leading diabetes and heart associations, the narrative around these diets is rapidly changing. A groundbreaking new report authored by 24 international researchers and clinicians aims to set the record straight by debunking long-standing myths and presenting scientific facts about low-carb and ketogenic diets.
Low Carb Diets Are Not Dangerous or Unbalanced Say Experts In Groundbreaking New Report
This
Medical News report is based on a newly published review titled “Myths and Facts Regarding Low-Carbohydrate Diets” in the journal Nutrients. The team of authors includes experts from institutions such as West Virginia University School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Stanford University, Yale New Haven Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, The Ohio State University, Rush Medical College, and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, among others. They offer a detailed yet accessible overview of the most common concerns people have regarding low-carbohydrate eating and respond with evidence-backed clarifications.
Low Carb Diets Are Not Just a Fad
Despite widespread skepticism, clinical trials over the past 30 years have shown that low-carbohydrate diets help prevent and treat major chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and even mental health disorders. The American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Canada, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the Australian Diabetes Association now recognize low-carb diets as a legitimate option for managing type 2 diabetes.
One key misunderstanding addressed in the report is the so-called “keto flu” - temporary symptoms like fatigue and headaches when starting the diet. Researchers explain these symptoms are linked to fluid and sodium loss and can easily be prevented with proper hydration and mineral intake.
No, You Do Not Need Carbs to Survive
Another myth the report tackles is the belief that humans need carbohydrates to stay healthy. According to the authors, there are no known deficiency symptoms from eliminating carbohydrates entirely. The small amount of glucose our brains and red blood cells need can be produced by the body through gluconeogenesis. The National Academies of Sciences even concluded in 2005 that the essential amount of carbohydrates required by the human body is zero.
Heart Health and Low Carb Diets
Perhaps the most controversial topic tackled by the report is the relationship between saturated fats, LDL cholesterol, and heart disease. Contrary to common beliefs, the researchers show that when carbohydrate intake is reduced, increased consumption of saturated fats does not raise blood levels of harmful fats. In fact, a large number of studies have found that reducing saturated fat has little to no impact on heart disease risk.
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Although some people, particularly those with lower body weight, may experience a rise in LDL cholesterol on a low-carb diet, this is not necessarily dangerous. One recent study showed that even individuals with high LDL had no significant plaque buildup after nearly five years. Meanwhile, other cardiovascular markers like blood sugar, insulin levels, triglycerides, and blood pressure improved significantly on a low-carb diet.
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Without Medication
The report highlights powerful evidence that low-carbohydrate diets can reverse type 2 diabetes in many patients. In one trial, more than 50% of participants achieved remission after just 10 weeks on a ketogenic diet, with sustained benefits lasting two years. Other studies in both the U.S. and the U.K. reported similar remission rates and reduced medication needs.
The authors also caution against relying too heavily on medications like GLP-1 agonists, which may help but come with side effects such as gastroparesis and high discontinuation rates. A food-first approach, they argue, can be just as effective - if not more so - in the long term.
Other Conditions Also Improve
The paper also dispels concerns that low-carb diets might harm kidney or gut health. On the contrary, evidence suggests they may improve symptoms of GERD, IBS, and even early-stage kidney disease. Even in children, nutrient intake on well-planned low-carb diets was found to meet or exceed daily requirements. Studies also show no negative impact on athletes’ performance, even in high-intensity sports.
Affordability and Sustainability
Another common myth is that low-carb diets are expensive or hard to stick with. However, cost comparisons show that they are only slightly more expensive than government-recommended diets. Furthermore, a significant portion of people in low-income settings - including homeless individuals - have successfully maintained low-carb lifestyles for over two years.
Environmental concerns are also addressed. Contrary to popular belief, red meat production is responsible for only 3.9% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and many agricultural scientists now argue that livestock raised using regenerative practices can benefit ecosystems.
Conclusions
This landmark report debunks the major myths surrounding low-carbohydrate diets and presents them as not only safe and sustainable but also powerfully effective against many chronic illnesses. The data shows these diets improve nearly every measurable marker of metabolic health. While not every patient will choose this route, the science clearly supports low-carbohydrate eating as a viable and often superior option. In the fight against obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, dismissing this dietary approach may do more harm than good. Health practitioners and the general public alike must be educated with up-to-date science rather than outdated myths.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Nutrients.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/6/1047
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