If you're considering trying a low-carb diet to lose weight, you might be intimidated by the so-called induction phase, where you're allowed to eat almost everything --- except for foods that have carbohydrates in them. Induction is supposed to jump-start your weight loss by forcing your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrate-based sugar for energy, and, according to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, it does work.
Significance
While "induction" is a term used to describe the first phase of the Atkins Diet program, other low-carb diets use a similar technique of severely restricting carbohydrates in the early phases of the diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For example, the South Beach Diet and the Atkins program both allow about 20 grams of carbohydrates in the first phase to stimulate weight loss. For comparison, one single apple or banana contains 20 grams of carbs.
Function
Induction aims to stimulate weight loss by forcing your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, according to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. In ketosis, your body burns fat, not glucose, for fuel. Ketosis, a state of semi-starvation, results in the spilling of ketones in your urine. It also can cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, constipation or diarrhea and irritability. These symptoms are so common on induction that Atkins devotees say they are suffering from "the Atkins flu."
Benefits
As your body adjusts to burning fat instead of sugar during the low-carb diet induction period, you can lose significant weight --- up to 10 lbs., according to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Some of this weight may come from water you excrete as a result of your lower carbohydrate intake, however.
Warning
Although you might want that rapid weight loss to continue, it's potentially dangerous to stay in the induction phase of a low-carb diet for longer than the few weeks generally recommended as part of the program, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As part of the diet, you'll gradually raise your carb intake beyond the low level of the induction phase.
Considerations
Low-carb diets, with their induction phases involving low intakes of carbohydrates, do help people lose weight faster than low-fat diets, according to Harvard Medical School. However, this weight loss may not be sustainable: most low-carb dieters ultimately regain the weight. To determine what's best for you, talk with your doctor about your choices and then monitor your body's response to the low-carb diet, especially during induction.
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