The Atkins diet was developed by Dr. Robert C. Atkins back in the 1970s and since then, many have followed the principles of this low-carb diet to lose extra pounds successfully. Dieters following the Atkins diet go through four phases. The first phase, called the induction phase, strictly limits carbohydrates to 20 g a day, while the following phases allow the gradual reintroduction of small amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods back into the diet. Carbohydrate is the nutrient that impact blood sugar levels the most and people with diabetes could benefit from reducing their carb intake, as promoted in the Atkins diet.
Body Weight
The majority of people with diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, are overweight or obese. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your present body weight, if needed, can help you lower your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, according to the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. In addition, they also report that losing some weight, intentionally, is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality rates. Twenty-eight overweight participants with type 2 diabetes following the induction phase of the Atkins diet for 16 weeks lost 6.6 percent of their body weight, from an average of 289.7 lbs. down to 270.5 lbs, as published in the December 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism."
Blood Sugar Control
With diabetes, it is important to keep blood sugar levels within a narrow range to prevent the long-term complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes. Once digested, carbohydrates are converted to glucose, or sugar, which then enters the bloodstream to elevate circulating concentrations of sugar. For this reason, low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, are effective at reducing blood sugar levels, as explained by endocrinologist Surender K. Arora in the July 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism." In a study conducted in Sweden, participants randomized to a low-carb diet, providing 20 percent of the calories from carbohydrates, decreased the A1C levels of type 2 diabetics from 8 percent at baseline down to 6.9 percent after 22 months, according to the the June 2006 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism." A1C levels reflect average blood sugar levels. The third and fourth phase of the Atkins diet recommend a carbohydrate intake similar to what was consumed in this long-term study.
Blood Cholesterol Levels
Many diabetics fear low-carb diets because of their relatively higher fat content. People with diabetes have a higher risk of suffering from heart disease and their healthcare team usually follow them closely to maintain their cholesterol levels in a safe zone. However, many studies show the advantage of low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, over low-fat diets in improving the lipid profile, by both lowering triglycerides and increasing heart-protective HDL cholesterol levels, according to the July 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism."
Going Atkins
If you have diabetes and decide to give the Atkins diet a try, get the latest Atkins diet book and talk to your doctor to ensure you are medically supervised throughout the transition process. This low-carb diet remove most carbohydrate-containing foods, such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cold cereals, oatmeal, corn, bagels, muffins, croissants, fruits, milk, yogurt and sugar, from the diet. Rather the Atkins diet is based on the consumption of an abundance of salad vegetables as well as protein from cheese, egg, meat, fish and chicken and fat from vegetable oil, butter, mayo, avocado, nuts and coconut oil.
References
- Atkins: The Program
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet to treat type 2 diabetes; William S. Yancy Jr., et al.; December 2005
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; Low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes. Stable improvement of bodyweight and glycemic control during 22 months follow-up; Jørgen Vesti Nielsen, et al,; June 2006
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The case for low carbohydrate diets in diabetes management; Surender K. Arora, et al.; July 2005
- George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services: Fast Facts: Benefits of 5 to 10 Percent Weight Loss
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