While many people have heard of the basic low carb diet, very few people have heard of the “very” low carb diet. This variation of the low carb diet is not for everyone, and you should consult with your doctor before deciding to try it. The biggest possible risk of a very low carb diet is that it can cause your body to go into ketoacidosis. Many large food companies have jumped on the low carb bandwagon, and if you go to your local grocery store, you will find that many products are being advertised as low carb.
While fat was highly feared in the past, it is not being embraced to a certain extent. Carbohydrates have now become the new evil, and people are anxious to purchase products that are low in carbohydrates. There is a notable difference between a standard low carb diet and a very low carb diet. The very low carb diet is a diet that will require you to consume no more than 20 grams of carbs each day. When you compare this to diets such as Atkins, which may allow you to consume as much as 40 carbs each day, the very low carb diets are much more strict.
Many health professionals are against this, because the brain gets its energy through glucose, which is directly related to carbohydrates. However, many of these professionals fail to take ketones into consideration. When you reduce your consumption of carbs, the body will begin to alter the hormonal structure within its system. There will be a reduction in the circulation of insulin, but glucagon will be increased at the same time. Once this happens, your body will be much more equipped to utilize glucogenesis, and this is a process that allows you to produce glucose in unique ways.
Because your body is no longer relying on carbohydrates as an energy source, it must begin using other energy sources, and these sources come in the form of fatty acids. The fatty acids are taken from the meats and non-starchy vegetable required under the diet. These energies sources may also be known as ketone bodies. The ketone bodies are important, because they can be used by the brain. However, very low carb diets may not be healthy with everyone, so you will want to check with your doctors. However, the diet has been very effective for many people.