How Cutting Carbs Affects Your Gut Enzymes
Adult onset sucrase-isomaltase deficiency with secondary disaccharidase deficiency resulting from severe dietary carbohydrate restriction
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Practical Takeaways
If following a severe low-carb diet long-term, monitor for new digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, or sugar intolerance, and consider periodic carbohydrate reintroduction.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Practical Takeaways
If following a severe low-carb diet long-term, monitor for new digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, or sugar intolerance, and consider periodic carbohydrate reintroduction.
Publication
Journal
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Year
1983
Authors
B. Cooper, J. Scott, J. Hopkins, T. Peters
Related Content
Claims (4)
You don't actually need to eat carbohydrates to survive or keep your body running properly. Your body can make all the energy it needs from its own stored reserves and fat, so skipping carbs won't interfere with your basic biological functions.
Eating very few carbs for a long time might reduce the digestive enzymes in your gut, making it harder to break down food and potentially causing stomach issues and nutrient problems.
Following a very low-carb diet for a long time might cause your body to stop making enough of the enzymes needed to digest sugars properly. This can lead to stomach problems and might mean you need to change your diet or see a doctor to manage it.
Eating very few carbs for a long time might cause your small intestine to stop making enough digestive enzymes, because it adjusts to the lack of food it normally breaks down.