does anyone knows anything about ATKINS DIET?


Question:
recently i overheard about a diet programme guaranteed to lose weight of any obese person.It is called Atkins diet.What I could understand is that it is not like any usual weight loss programmes.I would like to know more about it,and if anyone can recommend any book on this,I would welcome it.Thanks.

Answers:
Atkins claimed there are two main unrecognized factors about Western eating habits, arguing firstly that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, that saturated fat is overrated as a nutritional problem, and that only trans fats from sources such as hydrogenated oils need to be avoided. Consequently, Dr. Atkins rejects the advice of the food pyramid, instead asserting that the tremendous increase in refined carbohydrates is responsible for the rise in metabolic disorders of the 20th century, and that the focus on the detrimental effects of dietary fat has actually contributed to the obesity problem by increasing the proportion of insulin-inducing foods in the diet.

Dr. Atkins argued that many eating disorders are the result of hyperinsulinism, or excessive secretion of insulin which comes through eating too many carbohydrates. According to Dr. Atkins, this causes food cravings and unstable blood sugar levels, which can cause mood swings, depression, and sleeping problems. He claimed that his diet stabilizes insulin and blood sugar levels, eliminating cravings and often reducing appetite.

While most of the emphasis in Atkins is on the diet, nutritional supplements and exercise are considered equally important elements.

Atkins involves restriction of the intake of carbohydrates in order to switch the body's metabolism from burning glucose to burning fat (chiefly, stored fat). This process (called lipolysis) begins when the body enters the state of ketosis as a consequence of running out of carbohydrates to burn. Ketosis is an entirely normal state (eg, between meals or associated with heavy exercise) but can cause troubles (ketoacidosis, most seriously) if prolonged.

Atkins restricts "net carbs", or carbs that have an effect on blood sugar. Net carbohydrates can be calculated from a food source by subtracting sugar alcohols and fiber (which are shown to have a negligible effect on blood sugar levels) from total carbohydrates. Sugar alcohols need to be treated with caution, because while they may be slower to convert to glucose, they can be a significant source of glycemic load and can stall weight loss. Fructose (eg, as found in many industrial sweeteners) also contributes to caloric intake, though outside of the glucose -- insulin control loop.

Preferred foods in all categories are whole, unprocessed foods with a low glycemic load.

Other Answers:
I've heard it's a great diet if you stick with it. The bad thing is that when you lose the weight and then for whatever reason, stop the diet, the pounds come back fast.

There are tons of books--- go to amazon.com and take your pick. It is not as easy as it looks, from what my friends who have tried it say. You cannot have any carbohydrates whatsoever and it is very, very hard to be that strict. There's also studies coming out now that suggest it is really not very good for you as it really hurts your liver and adds a lot of cholesterol.

the atkins diet is ok i guess. i know someone who went on it, lost a lot of weight, and looked great. but as soon as they went off the diet, they gained it all back.



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