The Atkins Protein Diet: Pros & ConsThe Atkins protein diet: Steak, bacon and eggs, cheese omelets and anything else rich in protein, and don't hold the fat. That is the basis of the Atkins diet that was the phenomenon of its age when introduced back in 1972 by Robert C. Atkins M.D, under the title The Atkins Diet Revolution. The Atkins protein diet is based on Dr. Atkins' believe that by limiting your carbohydrate intake and increasing your protein intake, you would not only improve your health but also enable yourself to rapidly lose weight. So does it work or not? The Answer: Yes, but. . . That's the answer right at the start so you know that I am not hysterically against Atkins as many people appear to be, particularly those that don't understand the biochemistry behind it. I do, and while I recognize that the Atkins Protein Diet, for want of a better term, does work, that should be qualified and there are also problems associated with it. Heck, if you stopped eating altogether you would lose weight, so the 'Pete Nisbet Amazing Starvation Diet' also works and it doesn't cost you a penny to use it - in fact you save money! So, what is the truth about the Atkins Diet Revolution? What is the science behind it? Without trying to bore you, here is a brief explanation of how the Atkins protein diet works. However, why should you be bored finding the explanation behind a diet that you may be considering using? Nobody should adopt any diet unless they full understand its theoretical basis, and what its pros and cons are. Even my Starvation Diet! Generation of Energy Your body needs energy to keep you alive. Energy is not only used when you run and take exercise, but also:
Energy can be generated two ways: aerobically and anaerobically, but it is too involved to discuss here. Check out Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy Generation Here. Glucose, Fat, Protein and Energy For now we shall stick to the more common aerobic energy, needing oxygen for its generation. Carbohydrates are digested to eventually produce glucose in your blood which, along with oxygen, is the main raw material for ATP energy production. When you have no glucose left in your blood (excessive exercise or diet) your metabolism will then start to convert the fat in your fat cells to glucose. Once that has been used up, your body will then convert the carbohydrate portion of your muscle protein to glucose by deaminating the protein (removing the amino acid) to leave the carbohydrate for glycolysis and producing energy. What Dr. Atkins maintains is that we accelerate this to stage 2 above by eliminating carbohydrates from our diet and eating protein instead, so that your metabolism jumps straight to the fat. And guess what? The Atkins protein diet actually works. However, there is a price to pay. The Price of Atkins Protein DietHalitosis The first price is halitosis - your breath smells foul due to a process known as ketosis. When your blood glucose levels drop, so do your insulin levels drop. When fat stored in your fat cells (some cells are specifically used to store fat) is transferred to your blood to be converted to glucose. This involves the generation of fatty acids, which are broken down in the liver to release acetoacetate and b-hydroxybutyrate into your blood. The acetoacetate is partially metabolized to acetone, the ketone used a nail varnish remover. This predominantly occurs in the lungs, and so you breath out acetone which may smell OK in your nail varnish, but in the human breath it smells foul. This is known as ketosis. Ketosis is not bad for you - only for the person you are talking to, although it can also occur if the acetone is the result of insulin problems, in which case it can be an indication of diabetes. However, in respect of the Atkins protein diet it is no more than an indication that your body is burning fat, which is a good thing. Another man's meat . . . In any case, ketosis is only a significant issue in the initial stages of the diet. During the maintenenacestage, the Atkins Protein Diet is actually a sensible eating plan. Lack of Fiber Fats and proteins are low in fiber, so your diet is liable to be low in fiber unless you include a calorie-free fiber: if you can find one. The price you pay, therefore, is constipation. Without roughage, the peristaltic motion of your intestinal tract has nothing to get any purchase and traction on, so your food tends to stagnate in your lower intestine and colon. The Atkins Diet is associate with laxatives by the tanker load! Lack of Nutrition The majority of your antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and many of your vitamins come from the fruits and vegetables in your diet. By cutting these out, or even reducing them, you are leaving yourself subject to inflammatory conditions and free radical oxidation. Your diet is full of cholesterol, but you are not taking the antioxidants to prevent the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol that causes cholesterol plaques to form in your arteries, progressively blocking them until you get a stroke or heart failure. Dr Atkins himself recommended masses of supplements - some report up to 65 - to fill in the gaps in nutrition by following his plan. In fact, he marketed his own supplements, which must have been a good money-spinner for him. Finally There are many positives to be gained by using the Atkins protein diet, or Atkins Diet Revolution, although there appear to be a number of serious negatives. Not having used the diet myself, I cannot comment on it with any authority, but the reports I have read are divided - just like any other diet. However, the science is valid and weight should be, and is, lost by following it. It is a dietary system that actually works. However, the negatives are also valid ones, both theoretically and practically, and it is a pity that we cannot combine the Atkins protein diet with a fruit and vegetable diet to provide the nutrition that the Atkins protein diet lacks. Unfortunately, while vitamin and mineral supplements are fine to boost your normal natural intake, they are less effective if used as the sole source. Perhaps somebody will come with an answer to this, but until that day the Atkins protein diet will remain popular with some, but still regarded with suspicion by the majority, even though it works in its principal objective - to enable you to lose weight. It's a pity that you may suffer bad breath, constipation and serious cholesterol damage in your arteries because of it. However, as an enquiring scientist my mind is always open, and if you feel differently you can offer your views on the Atkins protein diet or The Atkins Diet revolution below. Otherwise hold your peace, although your comments may help others to make up their own minds (NOTE: This forum is not yet open). Register on the Home Page to be informed when it is available:
Share Your Experience with AtkinsHave You tried the Atkins Diet? If also, share your experiences with us. Did it work for you or not? Let everybody share your successes or did Dr. Atkins let you down? What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see what other visitors have said about the Atkins Diet:
Lose it fast= Gain it fast
This is a brand new feature of my site, so the first to tell their story about Atkins will be top of the list. P.S.: I have read some rumours and false stories about Doctor Atkins and how he died. He is said to have died of his own diet and to have been obese when he died. This rumour appears to have been promoted by the vegan group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and other similar groups.Here are the facts that can be ascertained by means of simple research: a) Dr. Atkins published his book Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution in 1972 and said that he followed it himself. b) In 2000 he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, not believed connected with his diet, and his coronary arteries were free of blockages at his death. c) He slipped on ice on April 8th, 2003, that caused cerebral bleeding. While unconscious in intensive care for 2 weeks, his body accumulated fluid and he suffered massive organ failure. d) He was 6 feet tall, and his weight on admission to hospital was recorded as 195 pounds (13 stones 13 pounds [unlucky]).Not overweight for a man of his height. e) When he died 2 weeks later his weight was recorded as 258 pounds due to significant fluid rentention because of his injuries. f) This weight was reported as his normal weight by Newsweek Magazine among others, which led to many runmours that he had died of his own diet - all these steaks, sausages, bacon and fatty foods causing him to become fat. In fact, the Atkins diet recommends protein not fat. g) Newsweek subsequently published a retraction and apology in 2007. So Dr. Atkins was neither obese nor did he die of his diet, so that should not be used as an argument against it. However, there are other issues connected with the Atkins Protein Diet that have been discussed above. The Atkins Protein Diet will work for some and nor for others - just like any diet. Not everybody has the same metabolism and there is no 'universal' diet. If you can use the diet and still maintain a healthy intake of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, then it could even be described as recommended for certain groups of people - but not vegans! Definitely not for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
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