Several factors influence your metabolism. The quantity of food you eat will determine if your body stores the food as fat or burns the food as energy through the metabolic process. If you burn more calories than you consume, your body will not store the food you eat as fat. The Atkins Diet eliminates one form of energy from your diet, carbohydrates and replaces these carbohydrates with fats and additional protein. Since it takes your body more energy to burn fats and protein than simple carbohydrates, the Atkins Diet will increase your metabolism. As with any diet plan, however, you should speak to a medical professional prior to starting the Atkins Diet.
How the Atkins Diet Works
When you begin the Atkins Diet, you will restrict your carbohydrate intake to 20 g per day. According to the Atkins website, this will force your body to use another food source as energy. Your body will then enter a state of ketosis. This means your body will use the fat reserve you currently have and the new fats you consume for energy. The reduction of your fat reserves will produce weight loss. It might, however, take some time for your body, especially your brain, to adjust to this new fuel source.
Understanding Metabolism
Your body always burns energy, and your basal metabolic rate determines how you burn this energy. According to the book "Cracking the Metabolic Code," your body uses 65 to 80 percent of its energy for basic bodily functions such as keeping your heart pumping and breathing. Additionally, your body uses 15 to 20 percent for physical activity and the remaining 5 to 10 percent to digest the foods you eat. On the Atkins Diet, you will increase your metabolism slightly because of the increased amounts of fats and proteins you consume. It takes your body more energy to digest protein and fat then carbohydrates.
Metabolism Theory
According to the Atkins website, when you consume carbohydrates your body has to increase insulin production. In the long run, this increase in insulin production can cause metabolic disorders such as diabetes. By reducing your carbohydrate intake, you will slow the rate of your insulin production and reduce how your body stores fat.
Fat
According to a study published in 2003 in "Journal of the American Medical Association," clinical research has not confirmed the advantages or disadvantages or consuming a low carbohydrate diet such as the Atkins Diet. The primary risk associated with this diet is the amount of saturated fats you will consume while on the diet. The long-term effects of eating high levels of saturated fats may have negative effects on you cardiovascular system. Before attempting the Atkins Diet, consult your doctor, especially if you have any cardiovascular-related disorders.
References
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution"; Dr. Robert C. Atkins, M.D.; 2002
- Atkins: Welcome to the Program
- JAMA: Efficacy and Safety of Low-Carbohydrate Diets; Dena M. Bravata and et al
- "Cracking the Metabolic Code"; James B. LaValle and Stacy Lundin Yale; 2003
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