The American public has gone "low-carb" crazy since the beginning of 2004. But, do these programs work? There is little doubt that a reduced calorie low-carb diet can induce weight loss – a number of recent studies have shown this to be the case, but the dropout rate was high – with only half of dieters adhering to the diet for the full study period (one year).

This strongly indicates that following a low-carb diet is not for everyone but can be effective for the right type of person. If you're currently following or considering starting one of the popular low-carb (or low-fat, or "balanced") diet plans, then you will want to consider the following:

• Low-carb (or low-fat) diets can certainly result in weight loss – but ONLY when accompanied by reduced calorie intake and ONLY if you can stick to them.

• Most of the new low-carb (and the "old" low-fat) products have the SAME or HIGHER level of calories as their "normal" counterparts.

• It is now being reported that "feeling blue" and unhappy are direct side effects of low-carb intake.

• Anyone who feels deprived of their favorite foods by following a low-carb (or low-fat) diet will have elevated cortisol levels and thus a tendency for increased appetite and abdominal fat storage. If you don't control the cortisol, carb cravings will get worse and worse – and harder to resist on your low carb diet.

• Your brain needs at least 100 grams of carbohydrates daily to function optimally (much more than allowed on most low-carb diets and FAR too low for anybody engaging in regular exercise).

So those are the facts about "Low-Carb Mania". Now with this information you can make an informed decision that's good for you, now and tomorrow.

This column is designed to help readers separate fact from fiction in the area of health, nutrition and exercise. Brought to you by: The Middleburg Fitness Club. Excerpts taken from Supplement Watch – Nutritional Newsletter April 2004