Athletes who put themselves on high protein, low carbohydrate diets to lose weight often end up losing muscle mass

“Athletes who put themselves on high protein, low carbohydrate diets to lose weight often end up losing muscle mass. Dietitians caution carbohydrates are essential to active lifestyles, as they are converted into glucose to power muscles and also promote the production of insulin, which helps build, repair and maintain muscle mass.”

—Los Angeles Times, 10/15/03