Low Carb & Lifestyle Products – Low Carb Supplements for a Nutrition-Conscious Lifestyle
What does low carb mean?
Low-carb means "few carbohydrates" in German and describes a diet that aims to consume as few carbohydrates as possible. The emphasis is placed on the other two macronutrients, protein and fat, to avoid malnutrition. Low-carb is a widespread diet that has just as many supporters as it does critics. In principle, there is no clear definition of how many grams of carbohydrates are required daily to truly adhere to a low-carb diet. This ranges from a moderate low-carb diet (100-150g of carbohydrates daily) to the Atkins diet (maximum 50g of carbohydrates) or the ketogenic diet (
Why a low-carb diet?
A low-carb diet makes sense under certain circumstances, and there are several reasons for following a low-carb diet. For example, carbohydrates can cause intolerances, bloating, and high insulin spikes, especially if you're not particularly good at controlling your intake of short-chain carbohydrates (sugar). Furthermore, it's assumed that your metabolism changes: when you avoid carbohydrates, your body has to rely more on fat reserves for energy (assuming a calorie deficit exists). Additionally, the low carbohydrate intake prevents insulin spikes, which is why proponents of low-carb diets argue that they maintain a constant blood sugar level and increase fat burning.
Who is a low-carb diet suitable for?
In principle, everyone can choose their own diet. No one should feel pressured to follow prescribed diets unless it's to improve their overall health. Obese and overweight people generally lose weight more easily on a low-carb diet because they tap into fat reserves more quickly and reduce the (possibly previously) excessive sugar consumption that contributed to increased body weight. A low-carb diet can bring rapid results, especially for people who need to watch their weight. Low-carb diets are not suitable for competitive athletes who rely on explosive strength in ball sports, as energy is released more slowly.
What are the benefits of a low-carb diet?
Low-carb has both advantages and disadvantages, which we will briefly explain. A low-carb diet ensures that the body has fewer carbohydrates available and thus draws more of its energy from fat reserves. Muscle volume also decreases, as stored carbohydrates also reduce water retention. The biggest positive effect is improved fat burning, as a low-carb diet is primarily used for dieting purposes. Furthermore, it's easier to achieve lean muscle tone (especially in bodybuilding).
What are the disadvantages of a low-carb diet?
Every diet has its advantages and disadvantages, and a low-carb diet also has some disadvantages that should be kept in mind. A low-carb diet often carries a higher risk of a yo-yo effect. This is usually because you switch your diet to low-carb specifically for a diet, and when you switch back to carbohydrates, you can usually no longer control the calorie intake. The result: rapid weight gain shortly after the diet, which is described as the yo-yo effect. Another disadvantage is the noticeably poor pump. Especially when you're dieting, the pump disappears anyway due to the reduced carbohydrate and calorie intake. With a low-carb diet, on the other hand, you hardly have any noticeable pump effect during training. While there is help in the form of very high-quality pump boosters, the feeling of your muscles is still noticeably impaired. However, this has no effect on muscle growth. In some cases, and after many weeks of dieting, digestive problems (with low fiber consumption) can become noticeable.