Carbohydrates have been portrayed in a negative light since the turn of the 21st century. Simple carbohydrates promote rapid fluctuations in insulin, which in excess may lead to increased fat storage. This has helped low-carbohydrate eating plans, such as the Atkins Diet, become popular. While simple sugars do have the ability to store as fat, those same sugars are the body's main source of energy and the brain's only source of energy. Removing carbohydrates completely from your diet may be an unrealistic long-term goal for weight loss and may result in damage to your health. Consult with your medical practitioner before entering into a low-carbohydrate weight loss program.
Background
Dr. Robert Atkins, author of "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution," was first published in 1972. The book discusses a medical term known as ketosis, which describes the metabolic state the body enters into when forgoing glycogen in favor of stored fat as its primary energy source. Ketosis occurs in the sustained absence of carbohydrates. Although the book was originally published in 1972, it did not receive recognition until the turn of the 21st century. The diet begins with a two-week induction period in which the participant must not consume more than 20 g of carbohydrates per day, which is 230 g less than what the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends for a 2,000-calorie diet. After the induction phase, participants may then slowly incorporate more carbohydrates into their diet, but can never exceed 90 g daily. The diet consists mainly of meats, seafood, dairy products and fat.
Increased Cortisol Levels
Partaking in the Atkins Diet promotes certain undesirable side effects, such as increased cortisol levels. The hormone cortisol is released by the body during times of stress and acts as a suppressant for the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for muscle growth. A study published in the April 2010 edition of the "European Journal of Applied Physiology" showed that exercise, in combination with low carbohydrate consumption, led to an increased production of cortisol. This increase is associated with additional side effects, such as increased fat production in the abdominal and hip regions, depression and a weakened immune system.
Health Considerations
While the Atkins Diet may be a temporary solution to weight loss, it is hardly a sustainable diet routine. A study published in "Nutrition & Metabolism," in November 2009 reports that dieters on a low- or no-carbohydrate diet experienced rebound weight gain after reintroducing carbohydrates back into their diet. Also studied was the body's response to entering into ketosis. According to Nathaniel Mead of Environmental Health Perspectives, ketoacidosis, which occurs during low-carbohydrate diets, increases acidity levels in the urine and leeches calcium from the blood. This, in effect, results in a reduction in bone density and increased likelihood of bone fractures.
Effectiveness
While studies conducted by Christopher Walker, MD, et al., found that the Atkins diet was most effective for weight loss in comparison to other low-carbohydrate diets, medical organizations such as the American Heart Association and American Medical Association, question its long-term effects on health. In particular, Atkins' high-protein program lacks essential vitamins for proper growth and development and emphasizes an increased intake of artery-clogging saturated fats. Discuss your weight loss options with a medical practitioner if you have a family history of heart or kidney disease, or if you are taking medication.
References
- PubMed; "Influence of Dietary Carbohydrate Intake on the Free Testosterone"; Lane AR, et al.; April 2010
- The Facts About Fitness; "Cortisol and Abdominal Fat"; Christian Finn, M.Sc.
- Nutrition and Metabolism; "Effects of Consuming a High Carbohydrate Diet After Eight Weeks of Exposure to a Ketogenic Diet"; Mary A. Honors, et al.; November 2009
- Every Diet: Atkin's Diet
- American Family Physician; "Low-Carbohydrate Diets"; Allan R. Last, M.D., M.P.H. et al.; June 2006
- American Family Physician; "Diets for Cardiovascular Disease"; Christopher Walker, M.D., et al.; April 2009
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