Monday, January 19, 2009

Will the Atkins Diet Really Work for You?

By Ricardo d Argence

It appears that everywhere you look someone claims to have diet that will make all your fantasies come true. There are some that have been proven to be good while others are downright dangerous to your overall health. This brings us to the Atkins diet, what is it and, can it work for you?

Some years after Dr. Robert Atkins finished medical at Cornell University in 1955, he found himself overweight and looking for answers. Atkins made is diet plan similar to one that he had seen in the Journal of American Medical Association. He first published Dr Atkins Diet Revolution in 1970.

He has changed his diet a little over time, but has never changed from the central ideals of the plan. The diets focus is on eliminating carbohydrates from the western diet.

The entire diet revolves around the idea that carbs are the main cause of being overweight. As you can see, the diet limits your intake of carbs. There are four steps in this plan, each step building on the one before.

Induction. The first phase is by far the most restrictive. The recommended duration of this phase is two weeks, but Atkins says that you can safely remain on this phase for months. Carbohydrates are limited to 15-20 grams per day of which 12-15 must come from leafy vegetables. This phase of the diet also allows for small amounts of cheese, generous amounts of meat and essential oils. The goal of this phase is to put the body into ketosis stage and had healthy amounts of fiber to the diet.

Ongoing Weight Loss. The second phase is to gradually increase the intake of carbs until a sustainable weightloss of 1-2 pounds per week is achieved. Carbohydrates will increase by five grams each day from a special food list, but vegetables can be eaten depending on how much carbohydrates are in them. Dieters stay in this phase until they are within five to ten pounds from their goal.

Pre Maintenance. This is the time when weight loss slows even more, Atkins recommends loosing the last ten pounds or so over a 1-3 month period. During this phase, dieters should use the method in phase 2 and add carbohydrates in at as much as ten grams per day again to the point that they are able without gaining weight.

Maintenance. Take all that has been learned from the previous phases and continue on a healthy plan to maintain your optimum weight. Avoid the common end of diet mentality and return to bad habits.

Now, let's talk about ketosis. When the amount of ketones in the blood are elevated, this is called Ketosis. This normal response of your liver happens when you decide to go on a strict low carb diet. Your liver will work for you in converting the fats into fatty acids. Under normal conditions, your body uses glucose made from carbs that you eat. When that supply runs out, then your body will start to burn its stored fat. You can be pretty sure that your body is in ketosis state when you notice that you have foul smelling breath or a metal taste in your mouth.

Medical professionals are divided in their opinion on ketosis. While the debate is far from over, people have stated that it stresses the liver unnecessarily and can be destructive to muscle tissue.

For many people the diet does work, the first phase alone can net a ten to fifteen pound loss in as little as a week. As with any diet, the results will be exponentially multiplied with exercise in order to increases the metabolism and help to prevent cardiovascular disease. - 15266

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