Many diet plans claim to help you lose weight more quickly than if you reduce your caloric intake alone. Many of these diets, including the Atkins Diet, emphasize restricting carbohydrate content. Although there are some advantages to this type of diet, there is the concern that diets, such as the Atkins Diet, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Theory
The theory on which the Atkins diet is built is that increased insulin levels cause the body to create more fat, the Atkins Diet website explains. Because insulin is secreted in response to increased blood glucose levels, which are caused by carbohydrate intake, the Atkins diet focuses on restricting carbohydrate intake. According to the theory behind the Atkins Diet, restricting the amount of carbohydrates in the diet will keep insulin levels low, which will allow the body to burn fat.
Fiber
The Atkins Diet emphasizes the importance of consuming fiber in the diet. In the Atkins Diet, fiber is important because foods that are high in fiber are digested more slowly, which means the carbohydrates they contain are converted in glucose at a slower rate. This means that insulin levels remain low. Increased fiber intake is also important for the health of your heart, as increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can lower your cholesterol levels.
Weight Loss
The Atkins Diet can also be good for your heart if it helps you lose weight. As MayoClinic.com notes, the Atkins Diet can be effective at promoting weight loss. It is not known, however, if the weight loss is a result of the low-carb diet or if patients lose weight because the dietary restrictions of the Atkins Diet cause them to consume fewer calories. Losing weight, however you do it, can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Considerations
One risk of the Atkins Diet is that by focusing so heavily on carbohydrate intake it may cause you to consume too much cholesterol and saturated fat. A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol can increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, which can cause high blood pressure and an increased risk of developing a heart attack. MayoClinic.com notes that over time the Atkins Diet has evolved to emphasize lean protein and healthier fats, such as olive oil, to help minimize the risk of heart disease.
Expert Insight
If done properly, following a low-carb diet, such as the Atkins Diet, will not increase your risk of developing heart disease, CBSNews reports. The key to any sort of restrictive diet is balance; a low-carb diet will not improve your health if you eat too much saturated fat and cholesterol, but a low-fat diet will not improve your health if you eat too many refined carbohydrates. Ideally, you should follow a diet that is low in carbohydrates but is also low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Member Comments