Physical Therapy and Low-Carb Diets

By Dr. Sean M. Wells, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, CNPT, Cert-DN

In recent years, low-carb diets have gained popularity as an effective approach to weight loss and improved health. Advocates praise the benefits, while critics highlight potential drawbacks. In our 3 course certification program, we dive deep into the topic of various diets to analyze their pros and cons. This blog post aims to delve into the advantages and disadvantages of low-carb diets to help physical therapists (PTs) educate their patients and avoid spreading misinformation.

Benefits of Low-Carb Diets:

1. Weight Loss:
One of the primary reasons people opt for low-carb diets is their potential to facilitate weight loss. By restricting carbohydrate intake, the body is prompted to burn stored fat for energy, leading to a reduction in body weight. While the data on this seems promising, long term studies show the weight loss may not be sustained and is truly pegged to the quality of...