Why am I losing weight through a low carb diet?

Simplified, the principle behind a weight increase is quite banal: If the body takes in more energy in the form of food or calorie-containing drinks than it consumes, this energy remains and is stored in the form of fat deposits. Losing weight therefore works according to the exact opposite principle: If a negative calorie balance is achieved by a lower calorie intake or a higher calorie consumption, those fat deposits gradually melt away again. An active, healthy daily routine with sufficient exercise and sports should therefore be a fixed component of any dietary efforts.

But it is not only the pure calorie reduction, which is often accompanied by a renunciation of carbohydrates, that explains the weight loss in low carb diets. Also rather unpleasant characteristics of the coal hydrates per se, which likewise cannot be accounted for with a renouncement, play a crucial role in the metabolism. Carbohydrates absorbed through food inhibit the burning of fat in the body.

The body draws the energy it needs first from recently consumed carbohydrates, i.e. from the last meal, which may still be present in the stomach and intestines, and for the sake of simplicity does not fall back on small cushions that should actually disappear. Only when there is no quickly usable energy available, the body makes the effort to break down fat reserves and gain energy from them. So-called simple carbohydrates, such as those found in white bread, fast food, sweets, white noodles and much more, also lead to a sharp rise in the blood sugar level, since they are immediately absorbed as a “simple” source of energy and are suddenly available in the blood.

This massive increase leads to a strong insulin release. The hormone, which also plays a major role for diabetics, ensures that the sugar from the blood is stored in various cells of the body. Once these stores are filled, the body stores the remaining available energy in the form of fat deposits in the typical problem zones.This rapid removal of the available sugar from the blood leads to a very rapid, surprising drop in blood sugar levels, which triggers a renewed craving for sugary, sweet and calorie-rich foods. A vicious circle of eating, ravenous appetite and renewed eating is created.