The Atkin's Diet - Fact or Fiction?

the Atkins Diet – Fact or Fiction

In the past few years, the Atkins diet has grown in popularity. It has been proven to be a diet that successfully allows people to lose weight. The theory is simple; The human body prefers to utilize carbohydrates, including those found in breads, grains, and cereals for energy, and it will burn them before body fat. By scaling back on carbohydrates in your diet, you make your body burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Reducing the amount of carbohydrates in your diet forces your body into a state called "ketosis." This word is derived from the "ketones" that your body uses for energy when sugars and carbs are unavailable.
When you're in a state of ketosis, your body is creating ketones from your stored fat that is being burned for energy. Basically, ketones are the leftovers from this process and they're used in place of sugar in the body.

Lately there has been much skepticism about this practice. Many people are claiming that this amount of fat intake is not only unhealthy but also unsafe. Carbohydrates provide energy. Also the rapid weight loss is left to question – how much weight is safe to lose in a short period of time? In addition, if you decide that the Atkin’s diet is not right for you, not only do you gain back the weight you lost but an additional amount. Lastly, is it logical to provide your family with a low carb diet? When you rid yourself of rice, bread, noodles and potatoes, you will find that it is rather expensive to feed even one person.

On the other hand, this diet has a lot to offer. My parents and I started the Atkin’s diet a few years ago. Although completely unconvinced. we were willing to give it a try. We did follow it strictly for the first week. Eating only vegetables was really difficult. Within the first 5 days I noticed that I had lost three pounds. As time progressed I was able to add in a variety of foods - fish, lean meats, vegetables, eggs and healthy oils. I loved it because I could eat when ever I was hungry and lose weight! I began to feel “healthy". I did research and discovered that eating carbohydrates can lead to frequent energy and mood swings. These wild swings are often manifested in the typical post-lunchtime or mid-afternoon energy crash. When you stop eating carbs, you eliminate the source of this problem.

The great part is, once you get into a month or two of this diet you can start adding in a small portion of your favorite foods – spaghetti, twice baked potatoes, chips. The key is moderation.

I was surprised to learn that I could find inexpensive, tasty meals that would classify as low carb. Eggs, white fish, chicken ceasar salad – all excellent, healthy foods.

So you think you’re ready to jump into the Atkin’s diet – you may want to think again. Although this diet is a great way to lose weight you definitely want to consult your doctor. What most people don’t know about this diet is tht it can cause serious illness if used by the wrong individual. I had to find this out the hard way.

I had been on the Atkins diet for almost three years. I looked the best I ever had. However, I began to feel really exhausted. It was as if I ran a marathon every day. Eventually I ended up going into my physician to figure out what was going on. He did all the usual “doctor stuff" and the only thing he could find was that I had low blood pressure. This was strange to me because my entire family has high blood pressure. My doctor suggested that I get blood work done to try to determine what was wrong.
A few days later he had called me and inquired about my diet. I explained that I had been on the Atkins diet for a long time. His advice – “Quit immediately". He proceeded to explain that people jump into diets without really researching them. " Just because you look great on the outside doesn’t mean you look great on the inside."
My veins were full of fat. I guess when you have low blood pressure you can not circulate the blood as fast so fat just piles up. The doc’s advice was to eat healthy and try to exercise for 20 minutes a day.

My father is still on this diet. He has lost 75 lbs to date. He has drastically lowered his high blood pressure and plans to continue this diet.

In the end I am still unsure about this diet but wish the best to those who try it.