"The Atkins Diet Revolution" is a low-carb weight-loss plan developed by Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1970s. The diet promises weight loss without calorie counting or portion control, simply by limiting carbohydrate intake which then limits insulin production. When your body doesn't have glucose for energy, it burns stored fat instead. The diet has been modified over the years to include more high-fiber vegetables, some fruit and less saturated fat.
Atkins Diet Overview
The Atkins Diet is divided into four phases, each allowing a greater amount of carbs. The first phase, called Induction, is the strictest -- limiting carb intake to about 15 g daily. This is also the shortest phase of the diet, used to jump-start your weight loss and turn your body into "a fat-burning machine." You can eat unlimited amounts of eggs, meats, seafood, fish, poultry, fats and oils. You're encouraged to use your carbs to eat a variety of high-fiber vegetables. No grains, sugars, starchy vegetables or fruit is allowed during Induction. As you progress through the phases of the diet and approach your goal weight, you'll start to add more carbs back into your diet to slow weight loss.
Atkins, Animal Protein and the AHA
The American Heart Association does not recommend any high-protein diet for weight loss, which includes the Atkins, Zone, Sugar Busters and Protein Power programs. The AHA has two concerns -- the high amount of protein and the large amounts of saturated fats associated with animal protein. On the Atkins Diet, up to 35 percent of your caloric intake could come from protein. Digesting protein can burden your kidneys, but is often only a problem for people who already have kidney damage. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, you can safely consume up to 25 percent of your calories from protein if you don't have impaired kidney function. With kidney damage, protein intake should be limited to about 10 percent of your total caloric intake. The most common cause of kidney damage is diabetes -- 40 percent of diabetics have kidney damage, reports the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Atkins, Saturated Fat and the AHA
According to the AHA, 35 percent of your calories can come from fat, with no more than 7 percent coming from saturated fat. Saturated fat, mainly found in animal proteins, including dairy products, is the type of fat most associated associated with high levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High levels of LDL can lead to a hardening and narrowing of your arteries. Blocked coronary arteries can lead to high blood pressure, angina and heart disease. The amount of animal protein consumed on the Atkins Diet far exceeds AHA recommendations. Plant proteins, such as legumes and soy, don't contain saturated fat, but are too high in carbohydrates for the beginning phases of the Atkins program.
Other Concerns
The American Heart Association also believes the Atkins Diet restricts too many foods that provide essential nutrients, which can cause serious health problems because of a lack of vitamins and minerals from whole grains, fruit and other eliminated foods. The AHA also notes that high-fiber plant foods can help lower cholesterol. The combination of increasing foods that may raise cholesterol while eliminating foods that lower cholesterol could lead to heart disease. The AHA raises concerns that blood pressure may increase due to the elimination of foods high in calcium, potassium and magnesium, which your body uses to regulate and lower blood pressure.
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