Initial Weight Loss

• When an individual begins a low-carb diet, he tends to lose a great deal of weight very quickly. Some individuals lose over 10 lbs. in the first week of the diet, but the loss is not body fat. A low-carb diet has a diuretic effect, eliminating bloating and water retention that can result from a high-carb diet. The initial loss that comes from a low-carb diet is extra water weight.
  
  

Ongoing Weight Loss

• After the initial period, weight loss slows to 1 lb. or 2 lbs. per week or less, depending on the individual. During this period, the person on the low-carb diet begins to burn body fat for energy, because there aren't enough carbohydrates in the diet to fuel daily activities.
  
  

Stopping the Diet

• Eating high-carbohydrate foods, which raise the level of carbs in the diet too far, ends weight loss. Going back to pre-diet eating habits results in immediate weight gain. Initial weight gain, due to water retention, can be lost quickly by returning to the low-carb diet.
  
  

Cholesterol Levels

• Low-carb diets have been shown to improve overall cholesterol levels, despite the increased amount of cholesterol consumed by low-carb dieters. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in July 2008, cholesterol ratios of study participants in the low-carb group improved 8 percent more than those in the low-fat group during a two-year period.
  
  

Considerations

• There are several different varieties of low-carb diet plans, each with their own directives involving how many carbohydrates to consume and which carbohydrate foods are acceptable. Some low-carb diet plans advocate the complete elimination of all grains, fruits and vegetables. Before starting such an extreme diet plan, consult with a physician to ensure that all necessary nutrients will be available.