Diet: low carbs + high protein... why? ideas?

[-scott-]

so I've heard the notion of high protein & low carb diets from a few different sources (lar, etc)... can someone explain why, particularily in relation to SCI / exercise / health / recovery?

one reason... back in the *ahem* good ole' days, I used to be pretty active w/ swim team & other sports... consuming carbs was always something we did before swim meets (e.g. decent amounts of pasta, etc)

now I'm a bit confused... why lay off the carbs? simply b/c our bodies aren't nearly as active?

I know this is the basis of all that Atkins diet stuff... just not sure where it comes into play w/ us SCIers.

thanks,
~ scott