Introduction
Diets have come and gone, some with great fanfare, others not so much. In the late 90s, the Atkins Diet was introduced and had such a powerful impact that restaurants and fast food chains began adjusting to the new demand for the low carb demand of this new diet. How can a diet so unconventional, and so different from what the U.S. government recommends (Food Guide Pyramid), possibly work? The theory behind the Atkins Diet is that by reducing the carbohydrate intake to as low as 20 grams per day (the average American consumes north of 300 grams a day), the body will go into a state of ketosis, which is the process of converting stored fat is used for energy, and therefore, weight loss.
How the Body Uses Energy
Understanding the body's energy system helps to understand Dr. Atkins' rationale behind this seemingly ludicrous idea. Diets that are high in carbohydrates increase insulin production due to their glucose and sugar levels. When insulin levels are high in the blood, the food you eat can be readily converted to body fat. However, if the body is allowed a limited amount of carbohydrates, it will begin searching for other sources of energy, namely fat. The Atkins Diet encourages one to consume protein and fat. Because the diet restricts the body's preferred fuel source (carbohydrates), it begins to break down fat into energy, a process known as ketosis. When the body goes into ketosis, appetite is naturally suppressed.
Affects of the Diet
Proponents of the Atkins Diet claim that one can expect anywhere from 10 to 30 lbs. lost in the first month on the diet. However, much of this is due to the fact that when you are cutting out carbohydrates your body is losing water. Carbohydrates, amongst many other things, bring water (notice hydrate is part of carbohydrate) and nutrients into the muscles. By cutting out the carbs, your body is becoming dehydrated and malnourished. Further, by limiting your carb intake, you are not allowing yourself the opportunity to eat fruits and vegetables, both of which are full of carbs, fiber, as well as many other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. The diet doesn't say what kinds of proteins and/or fats are allowed, insinuating that it is OK to eat all the eggs, bacon, and grease you want, as long as you don't have a muffin with it. This type of diet can lead to inflated cholesterol, high blood pressure, and can even tamper with some medications.
Potential Side Effects of a Low-Carb Diet
Some of the effects of a low-carb diet include fatigue, nausea, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, tiredness, weakness, dull headache, abdominal pain, increased breathing, vomiting and bad breath.
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