Atkins Diet Review

 

Authored by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, the "Atkins Diet" is a high protein, low carb diet. According to the popular way of following this plan, you are allowed to eat as much fat as you like as long as you consume very little carbohydrates. The magic behind the short-term success of the Atkins Diet, and the low carb diet in general, lies in its effect on the body: the body's preferred energy source is glucose. When carbohydrates are significantly restricted, the body runs short on its constant supply of glucose, the breakdown product of carbohydrate. The body anticipates these situations by storing glucose (glycogen) in the muscles and liver. For every gram of glycogen the body stores, it must store with it three grams of water. If carbs are significantly limited as they are in the Atkins Diet, the body will break down these glycogen stores to obtain glucose for energy. When the glycogen is broken down stored water is released and excreted. The more aggressive the carb restriction, the more dramatic this effect. The Atkins Diet tends to be one of the more aggressive low carb diet plans.

There are thousands of low carb and Atkins Diet products on the marketplace. This continues despite the warnings from medical authorities. It is truly amazing how advocates of the low carb and Atkins Diet have managed to mislead millions of people into a diet opposed by the American Dietetic Association, the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the National Institutes of Health.

The Atkins Diet and other low carb diets have shown poor results in the long-term. Considering the health risks associated with the low carb regimen, the Atkins Diet seems like a poor choice among the large variety of options. The reality of popular low carb diet products and programs is that few work in the long term because they don't focus on the sustainable strategies of balanced nutrition, exercise and personal motivation. But don't be discouraged, there are good plans out there that can help you achieve your goals.