Those of you who want to lose weight have probably heard of low-carb diets. This diet requires you to reduce your intake of carbohydrates. However, a body that lacks carbohydrates can cause various disease problems.
What is a lack of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. If the body lacks carbohydrates or is deficient in carbohydrates, various consequences can arise, such as fatigue, headaches, and diarrhea.
Long-term carbohydrate deficiency can cause the body to lack fiber, vitamins and minerals. As a result, various health problems also lurk because the body does not get enough nutrition such as bad breath, headaches, and nausea.
What happens when the body lacks carbohydrates?
When you don’t get enough carbohydrates, your body will use protein and fat as energy. This condition is called ketosis.
If left unchecked, ketosis will result in a buildup of ketone compounds which are waste products of fat metabolism. Excessive levels of ketones can trigger dehydration and disrupt the balance of chemical compounds in the blood.
As a result, glucose and ketone levels in the bloodstream increase, or commonly known as ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis changes the nature of the blood to become acidic which can be harmful to health.
That’s why, don’t be surprised if you still need to meet your daily nutritional needs including carbohydrates even though you are on a diet. Carbohydrate deficiency can trigger various symptoms that can actually interfere with your diet program.
Signs the body is deficient in carbohydrates
Below are some signs that your body is deficient in carbohydrates that you need to watch out for.
- Weak and lethargic
One of the signs that your body is not getting enough carbohydrates is that you feel weak and lethargic all the time. This is because the body needs carbohydrates for the process of forming energy, namely the process when carbohydrates are converted into blood sugar glucose as the body’s fuel, especially for the brain and nervous system.
Even so, not all glucose is used as energy. Some of it will be stored by the liver, muscles and body cells for backup. That’s why, you will feel fat is not powerful when reducing carbohydrate sources.
As a result, the body does not have enough energy to move. This is also compounded because you do not have a reserve that can be used.
- Constipation
In addition to weakness and lethargy, lack of carbohydrates can cause constipation (constipation). This is because the body also lacks fiber at the same time.
Sources of carbohydrates are not always starchy foods, but you can also find them in vegetables, fruits, and nuts. However, these three types of food contain high fiber.
If you experience constipation after going on a low-carb diet, immediately consume complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread and pasta. This type of carbohydrate at least helps smooth bowel movements and reduces the risk of constipation.
- Malnutrition
Malnutrition turns out to include the impact of a lack of carbohydrates. When you reduce your intake of carbohydrates, you indirectly reduce foods that are not only rich in carbohydrates.
For example, citrus fruits, broccoli and tomatoes are good sources of vitamin C for immunity. Meanwhile, carrots, sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes and apricots are food sources of vitamin A.
Not only contain vitamins and minerals, the fruits and vegetables mentioned also contain carbohydrates. By reducing these foods, the body can also show symptoms of malnutrition gradually.