Advantages and disadvantages of the Atkins diet
The Atkins diet was, a while ago, a very popular low carbohydrate diets out there. Its popularity started a huge flood of Atkins look-a-like diet plans that also were based upon exactly the same high-protein and low-carbohydrate concepts. The Atkins diet has not lost all its popularity, but its attractiveness has definitely waned over recent years.
Studies at first revealed that low-carbohydrate diet plans, had a number of benefits. There have been scientific results that confirmed the possibility of low-carbohydrate diet plans, like Atkins, creating substantial weight loss without having to excessively limit consumption. This fact was drowned out by the claims of enthusiastic Atkins dieters who initially suggested the possibility of weight loss with almost no restriction in calorie intake. It doesn’t help the good name of a diet plan if individuals make mistaken remarks like that. All weight loss plans must hold fast to the elementary principle that exta calories gets stored as fat. Maybe the speed at which excess calorie intake is turned to body fat is not exactly the same for all weight loss plans, but the variation is not substantial.
A number of studies suggested that low-carb diet programs could improve triclycerides, reduce blood sugar for diabetics and pre-diabetics and raise good cholesterol (HDL). That being said such results were not ever correctly normalized to allow for for the slimmer’s initial condition. What I mean is that, for an excessive consumer of carbohydrates, any reduction in carbohydrate consumption would show positive results, would it not? Low-carbohydrate dieting has been medically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, help reduce blood pressure and reduce blood insulin levels. Again such benefits only really relate to people who have previously eaten too much carbs to the point where they were causing the problems to arise. All the above ailments can exist for other (non diet) related reasons for which a change in diet will provide negligible relief.
I’m not in any way attacking the diet. The Atkins diet can work for many people. However, like most diet programs, it suffers from lots of misinformation. On the one hand there are overstated claims and unscientific hearsay, and on the other there are scare stories and comments about possible health problems that don’t even relate to the diet. I am simply saying that the diet does not deliver the results for all. Its advantages are mostly affected by your current situation and the actual reasons why you got to be overweight. Also be aware that many claimed risks of the program come from people who did not follow the plan correctly. Some of the claims for or against the diet are as follows:
Compared with low-fat dieting, low-carb slimmers lose less muscle mass. This claim would be tricky to prove. If 2 diet plans were equal in all areas apart from the carbohydrate ratios – then I would be astonished if there was any measurable variation in muscle loss. Muscle loss is primarily a direct result of under activity (use it or lose it), or extreme calorie deficiency.
An increase in energy – this can be claimed by many weight loss plans, and is probably more to do with how regularly you eat and exercise, rather than on sheer carb ratios.
A reduced craving for sweets – this really depends upon the reason behind the cravings. Was it psychological or diet related?
Significantly better concentration, better mood and a reduction in depression type symptoms – carbs can cause such problems if eaten excessively- especially refined carbs. Again there are many reasons for the above aliments and so a lessening of carbs would only provide relief if the original symptoms were as a result of excessive carb consumption.
With the Atkins diet some advocates claim that you can enjoy eating just about all of those forbidden foods like fatty meat, dairy prodiucts and cream. Though that is probably true, you will have to forgo the cookies cola and cereals. Also perceiving nutritious food as forbidden is not a good place to start. Focusing on food quality, nutrients and balance will do much more towards success.
On a more encouraging note
Dr. Atkins emphasized each slimmer should find their own unique carbohydrate level. We all have unique levels of carbohydrate tolerance. On this aspect I totally agree. Finding out how your own body responds to carbs can only be beneficial to your health and success.
Nothing out-does a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Even if you choose to take up the Atkins diet – you should weigh up your longer term goals for how you will live the rest of your life. If the Atkins option is not recommended for life long change, then at least produce a lifestyle plan while implementing the diet to get your fast results.
Tags: advantages of atkins, atkins diet, atkins diet review
Weightloss | | 
May 7, 2010 9:31 am
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