People with diabetes have chronically high blood glucose levels either because they do not produce enough insulin or because their bodies do not respond adequately to the insulin levels which are naturally present. Some diabetics choose the Atkins diet as a way to lose weight and get their blood glucose levels under control, but there is some controversy as to whether the Atkins diet is appropriate for people with diabetes.
Atkins Diet Overview
The Atkins diet is a plan which focuses on restricting carbohydrate intake. In its initial phase, dieters are instructed to reduce their carbohydrate intake to 20 grams per day, and this number is gradually increased as the dieter progresses through the system, up to a maximum of 100 grams of carbohydrates each day, the Mayo Clinic explains. The theory behind the Atkins diet is that insulin, which is secreted in response to carbohydrate consumption, causes the body store of extra calories as fat; by limiting carbohydrates, dieters can cause their bodies to burn fat.
Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Limiting carbohydrate intake is central to treating diabetes. Carbohydrates are rapidly digested into sugars, which are then converted into glucose by the body. Because diabetics already have high blood glucose levels, limiting carbohydrate intake is a technique which many physicians recommend for the treatment of diabetes, because this helps keep blood glucose levels from rising sharply after a meal.
Controversy
As HealthCentral notes, there is some controversy as to whether the Atkins diet is appropriate for diabetics. The key issue in the controversy is how much of the diet should be composed of carbohydrates. The Atkins diet imposes severe carbohydrate restrictions, to the point where carbohydrates can account for about 10 percent of the total caloric intake. This is much lower than the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association, which recommends that diabetics get between 45 and 65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates.
Expert Insight
The American Diabetes Association modified its stance on the Atkins diet, the Atkins diet website explains. The Association now notes that the Atkins diet can be used by diabetics to help them lose weight if they follow it for at least one year. Weight loss is an important aspect of controlling diabetes because losing even a small amount of excess weight can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood glucose levels.
Considerations
Diabetics following the Atkins diet should still monitor the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol which they eat. A diet which is heavy on butter, red meat, eggs, high-fat dairy and other sources of saturated fat and cholesterol can increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease, which are major complications of diabetes. Diabetics looking to follow the Atkins diet should try to limit the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol by eating non-starchy vegetables and lean proteins.
Member Comments