One of the main arguments that critics have against low carb diets is that they can cause significant side effects; they can cause more harm than actual good.

The effects of reduced carbohydrate content may manifest itself in different forms

• Ketosis (a metabolic disorder that is caused by a cut in the amount of glycogen stored in the liver, which is what happens when you reduce your carbohydrate intake),
• Constipation (which occurs due to reduced fiber intake when on a low carb diet),
• Increased risk of heart disease (due to an increase in unsaturated fat intake that accompanies a high protein-low carb intake).

Another claim is kidney damage and also bone loss, though research so far has shown no evidence to support this claim.

Some critics also say that increasing dependence on high protein food, which comes mainly from animal sources, will directly affect the food chain and cause environmental problems.

Low carb products

The increase in demand for low carb food has affected the food industry as well. The impact has been both positive as well as negative.

The negative impact has usually been seen in the case of companies dealing in niche high-carbohydrate products. One such glaring negative impact was the filing, in the month of May, 2004, for protection against bankruptcy, by the food corporate New World Pasta.

In its filing, the company declared that the demand for low carb food was severely affecting its pasta sales, as there was seen to be a declining demand for its pasta products.

However, as is the case with business usually, a lot of companies have jumped on to the low carb bandwagon, and now offer the same products that they were earlier offering, with an emphasis on their low carb qualities.

Commercial controvery

There are major commercial stakeholders supporting the argument against low carb diets. So much so that it caused a court in Canada to rule, in 2004, that carbohydrates have not been scientifically proved to be a health risk, and therefore food being sold could not have the 'low carb' or 'carb eliminated' labels on them. It has set the current year, 2006, as the time frame for getting all such products labels off product packaging.

Low carb diets are here to stay

Whether you like them or hate them, low carb diets are here to stay - at least for a while. Their business and health potential ensures this.

The biggest thing about the different low carb diets is that they provide effective weight loss results in very short time frames. It is possible to lose up to 30 to 40 pounds in a couple of weeks, by following some of the low carb diets on offer.

There are side effects to such drastic weight loss, of course, but most people are willing to take a chance on that, as the results have very promising positives - a better look, increased self-confidence and higher self-esteem.