The Atkins diet is a popular weight loss plan that works by eliminating most carbohydrates from the diet. The main principal behind the diet is that the key to losing body fat is to control insulin levels. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas which regulates blood glucose when sugar is introduced into the bloodstream, carries the glucose into either muscle of fat cells. The glucose will be deposited into muscle cells only if it is needed for energy or replenishment after exercise. If there is no need for glucose in the muscles, the glucose is stored as body fat. Chronically high insulin levels are seen by Atkins proponents as a major cause of obesity and diabetes. The Atkins diet controls insulin by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, forcing the body to burn fat as fuel.
Fat as Fuel
The Atkins diet differs from most other diets in that there is little restriction on high fat foods. Beef, bacon, butter, whole eggs and cheese are all acceptable choices. The reason these foods are allowed is that without carbohydrates the body must rely on fat for fuel. An abundance of dietary fat keeps the body from trying to use glucose, which is its preferred fuel.
Ketosis
The Atkins diet works because of the human body's ability to adjust metabolic processes according to nutrients it is fed. When the body is unable to supply glucose to the brain, it will create a replacement for glucose. Ketones are a compound produced by the body during times of fasting or carbohydrate restriction. Made from fat, ketones are a compound which can be used by the brain in place of glucose. This condition is referred to as ketosis. The process of switching to ketones as fuel can take a few days, making the first week of the Atkins diet a challenge. Most dieters experience fatigue, lethargy and disorientation while their body changes energy sources. As time goes on, the dieter can gradually reintroduce specific carbohydrates such as vegetables back into the diet and remain in ketosis.
A Faster Way to Lose
Once the body has adjusted to the low-carbohydrate intake, weight loss can occur very quickly on the Atkins diet. Unlike glucose, the body does not store ketones, making it very difficult to gain body fat while on the Atkins diet. Rather than be stored as fat, unused ketones are excreted through the breath, stool and urine. Most dieters experience an initial rapid drop in body weight because the body stores water with carbohydrates. When carbohydrates are restricted, the body will excrete this water.
References
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition;" Dr. Robert Atkins; 2002
- "The Metabolic Diet: The revolutionary diet that explodes the myths about carbohydrates and fats;" Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale; 2002
