The Basics of the Atkins Diet

The Atkins Induction diet is not a new phenomenon. This weight loss program first came on the scene in the late 1970s and has boomed in recent years in response to the non fat diet program. Many people really struggled with low-fat eating diets, they searched and searched for that one solution and then came Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution book. Many people have gotten on the Atkins diet and there has been a lot of hype as a result. But what are the basics of the Atkins weight loss program? The Atkins diet is based on a theory of why we gain weight. According to Dr. Atkins, the to many carbohydrates and simple sugars that we consume leads to weight gain. The way your body processes the carbohydrates you consume have more to do with your belly size than the amount of fat or calories that you intake. In his book, Atkins outlines a phenomenon called “insulin resistance.” He says that many overweight individuals have cells that do not work properly. When you eat to many carbohydrates and sugar, your body recognizes that your sugar levels are to high. Insulin is released from your pancreas in order to store sugar as glycogen in your liver and muscle cells for extra energy later on when you need it. However, your body can only handle so much glycogen at one time. As soon as your body reaches its limit for glycogen storage, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat. This happens to every single person who eats too many carbs. However, people that are insulin resistant have an even more difficult time using and storing extra carbohydrates. The more insulin that your body is exposed to, the more resistant it becomes. Overtime, your pancreas lets out more insulin and cells become insulin resistant. The cells are trying to protect themselves from the toxic effects of high insulin. They create less glycogen and more fat.

As a result, insulin resistant people gain extra weight. The carbs get changed into fat instead of energy. Other side effects include being tired, brain “fog” (the inability to focus, poor memory, loss of creativity), low blood sugar (which can leads to hypoglycemia), intestinal bloating, sleepiness, depression and increased blood sugar. There is much more than gaining weight when it comes to being insulin resistant. The cure for individuals who are insulin resistant is a weightloss plan that restricts carbohydrates. The down side of the Atkins diet is a limitation of carbohydrates in all of its forms. The foods restricted on the Atkins plan include simple sugars (like cookies, sodas and sweets) and complex carbohydrates (like bread, rice and grains). Even carbohydrates that are considered healthy, such as oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread, are avoided on this program. The diet has you restrict your carbohydrate intake to less than 40 grams a day. This will put your body in a state of ketosis. While in ketosis, your body will burn fat as fuel. According to Dr. Atkins’ research, the ketosis state will also affect insulin production and it will prevent more fat from being formed. Your body will begin using your stored fat as an efficient form of fuel, and by this taking place you will lose weight. Another great thing about the Atkins plan is that ketosis will end your cravings for carbs. If you’ve been living on a lot of carbs diet, you may have found that you simply cannot get enough carbohydrates. With carbohydrate restriction and ketosis comes a reduction in carbohydrate cravings. People who have been on the Atkins diet for some time report that they do not crave carbohydrates as they once did. Although the initial phases of the Atkins diet are strict, the program will teach you to restore balance to your diet in the long run. People who use the diet slowly bring in certain amounts of carbohydrates back into their eating until they find a comfortable balance between their maintaining a proper weight and carbohydrate use. The basic idea of the Atkins diet have been adapted to many other low-carb weight loss plans. However, the Atkins weight loss plan still remains strong as one of the most effective low-carbohydrate solutions for those who are insulin resistant.