What happens if you remove the source of energy from a light bulb or an engine? If you do the same thing to a person exercising, what do you think the result might be? The answer is exactly why the low-carb diet is so ridiculous. In order to form one of it’s most readily available sources of fuel, the human body needs complex carbohydrates. Unlike a light bulb or an engine, when our bodies source of fuel is compromised it seeks out other sources of fuel.
The human body is like a perfect machine. It will do anything that it can to survive, even if it means harvesting it’s own lean tissues to keep its’ brain & vital organs healthy. Since you probably have goals of getting into shape this New Year, you may want to consider that the perfect machine will shut down your motivation to exercise if it does not have enough fuel.
The body gets energy using several sources for fuel. Complex-carbohydrates, fat, oxygen and lean tissues. The problem is, when you derive energy from lean tissue you are doing damage that is difficult to reverse. If your body has to dip into this emergency source of fuel it is a sure sign that your metabolism, immunity and energy will be jeopardized while your stores of body fat and lethargy will increase.
Your body stores carbohydrate energy in the form of glycogen inside of your lean tissues. In addition, it also uses about 3 grams of water to keep it there. This is the premier location for quick bursts of energy and it makes you look healthy and supple. If you don’t consume enough carb’s, not only will your supply of quick energy be diminished, you will also lose weight in the form of glycogen, water and lean tissue! You see, for every gram of glycogen that you lose, you also lose about 3 grams of water. Even though you may lose weight, it will be mostly water weight and comes at a price to your body. The way our bodies harvest carbohydrates is by internally digesting lean tissues and converting some of the proteins into carbohydrates.
Where an imperfect machine would sputter out with no fuel, your body will figure out how to continue to run, at any cost. If your goal is to get in shape this year, start exercising and eat a diet that is high in nutrients. Choose carbs with fiber rather than refined carbs and see a registered dietician or a licensed nutritionist to make certain that your efforts are not in vain.
