Atkins Diet Revolution Review

The First of the Low Carbohydrate Diets

The Atkins diet was first published in the early 1970s. In the mid 1990s a revised version "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution" was published and the low carbohydrate craze began again. It has been roundly condemned by the establishment. To be honest I feel a little apprehensive about reviewing this diet. Many people absolutely swear by it and they can be quite aggressive in its defense.  Others are equally adamant that it is a very unhealthy, even dangerous diet. Please don't send me hate mail if you disagree with my review!

The Atkins  Diet

The Atkins diet advocates a high protein and fat intake with virtually no carbohydrate allowed. Initially there is a 2 week induction period in which carbohydrates are virtually eliminated, only 20 grams a day being allowed. During induction  you  are not allowed to have any milk, fruits, grains, cereals, breads or starchy vegetables such as potatoes, peas, corn and carrots. All the ones that experts tell us are good for us. The 20grams of carbohydrate allowed is taken up by that occurring in the vegetables you are allowed to eat. This two week period consists of a diet of as much as you like of meat, eggs, fish, butter-  there isn't anything to put it on but you could fry with it, cream, sausages, bacon nuts and cheese. Now you can see why it is condemned as dangerous by orthodox practitioners.

Once the two weeks of induction have been completed you can begin to add carbohydrates in increments of 5 grams per week, a barely noticeable amount. Eventually you are able to eat around 40 to 90 grams of carbohydrates a day. To determine how much carbohydrate you may add to your diet each day you must test your urine for ketone bodies using a dipstick. This will show you whether you are in ketosis, or fat burning mode. The stick turns any shade from light to dark purple if you excreting ketones. As you add these increments of carbs to your diet at some point the stick will stop turning purple. Just prior to that happening is known as "your critical carbohydrate level" or CCL. You must stay in ketosis, which is just under your CCL until you reach your fat loss goal.  Ketosis is a very controversial topic. Many health care professionals say that it is dangerous to be in ketosis for any length of time, while Atkins devotees say it is not. 

The Science 

The idea that it could be healthy not to fruits or most vegetables or to severely limit them is very strange. Scientific studies of populations that eat a primarily plant-based diet, such as The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health, show that they are slimmer and healthier than those who eat a Western animal products based diet. Analyses of data from China Study 1 and its follow up China Study 2, which were conducted among thousands of rural families in mainland China, linked that population' s low incidence of such Western health problems as cardiovascular disease, some cancers, obesity and diabetes to plant-based diets that were low in animal products. This study also showed that the closer a food is to its native state the healthier it is. The Atkins diet contains very little food that is in its native state.

But, surprisingly two studies published in prestigious medical journals, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Annals of Internal Medicine, have shown that there are indeed some benefits to be gained from The Atkins Diet compared to a standard low fat slimming diet. In the studies around 40% of participants dropped out, which just shows how hard this diet is. Of the rest, there was a larger decrease in serum triglyceride levels and a greater increase in serum HDL (good cholesterol) than the low-fat group. Both groups had similar reductions in LDL cholesterol ( bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels. At the end of the study weight loss was about the same in both groups. However the Atkins dieters had lost an average of 15.4 lbs at six months but by the end of the year had regained 1/3 of the weight they lost bringing their average weight loss down to 9.7lbs.

 Why Do Atkins Dieters Lose Weight?

Well I know that any of you reading this will get mad at me but the fact is that weight is lost because of a reduction in calories. There is lots of butter cheese and cream to eat but nothing to put them on. The foods allowed become boring and unattractive when eaten on their own and people simply end up eating less of them. Research has shown that although they do not realise it Atkins dieters reduce their calories by around 1000 per day. In fact in one study their average intake was around 1500 calories a day. That is why they lost weight. The good blood results were a result of weight loss. Some adverse events are also reported. If you would like to read more on this check out the Atkins diet alert website.

The Atkins diet with its emphasis on animal products may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, kidney problems and diabetes complications. Medical and scientific research has shown that this type of eating is not healthy.

 In Conclusion, Atkins is not the best diet for weight loss, it might be dangerous and you are unlikely to be able to stick to it for very long. Remember 3 out of every 5 dropped out in the studies referred to above. If you are considering the Atkins Diet I suggest that you read the China Study first. It has been called the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted. 

Verdict: Not Recommended

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