Diet has become one of the most popular methods to moderate ones weight. In addition to weight control problems, certain illnesses such as diabetes may prompt an person to observe a low carbohydrate diet. The Atkins diet is a low carb diet developed by Dr. Robert Atkins who was an American physician and cardiologist. This Atkins diet was based on a diet which was issued in the Journal of American Medical Association which Dr. Atkins himself employed to handle his obesity.
The Atkins diet which is more officially known as Atkins Nutritional Approach contradicted the existing nutritional theories of that time stating that certain unidentified aspects of western eating habits caused weight gain. Furthermore, Dr. Atkins attributed obesity to the consumption of refined carbohydrates such as sugar, flour and corn syrups that contain loaded fructose amounts. The Atkins diet works by restraining the carbohydrate consumption of the body and in turn interchanging the metabolic process of the body from burning glucose to burning the stored amounts of fat as bodily fuel. This operation which is known as ketosis is achieved by turning down the insulin levels of the body through lowering the blood glucose levels.
Four phases are included in the Atkins diet and they should be observed stringently to attain the desirable results. Induction is the first step of the diet plan where an individual restrict their daily carbohydrate intake to 20 net grams or less. This is generally recommended for two weeks and foods should only be selected from a list of recommended foods including small quantities of meats, fish, poultry and eggs. In addition, salad vegetables, butter and vegetable oils are also permitted in the diet. Nevertheless, alcohol is banned and even caffeine is only allowed in moderation. This phase of the Atkins diet is designated to make the body rapidly go into a ketosis state and consequently, the most important amount of weight loss can be seen in this period of time. The other three stages of the Atkins diet such as ongoing weight loss, pre maintenance and lifetime maintenance includes methods to step by step increase the carbohydrate consumption of the body while preventing weight gain.
The Atkins diet has acquired great popularity primarily during 2003 and 2004 regardless of the disputations surrounding it. According to the statistics one in every eleven adults in North America followed the diet during its height of popularity. However, particular scientists and researches claim that although the diet may aid weight loss, it may step-up the chance of other diseases such as heart disease.
The Atkins diet is considered by many as one of the most effective kinds of weight loss techniques. However, as any method, it has its share of supporters and critics.
Lee enjoys writing about dieting when he is not busy cooking on his Weber s 320 natural gas grill.
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