Dr Atkins diet

Information about this diet

The Atkins Nutritional Approach, popularly known as the Atkins Diet or just Atkins, is a trendy but controversial high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet popularized by Dr. Robert Atkins (1930-2003) in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution.

Atkins recommends restriction of the intake of carbohydrates in order to switch the body metabolism from using glucose as the fuel to burning fat (both dietary and stored fat). This process of lipolysis begins when the body enters the state of ketosis as a consequence of running out of carbohydrates to burn.

For the first two weeks of the Atkins diet plan (called Induction), carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 grams a day, meaning that protein and fat will, by necessity, form the bulk of the diet. In order to avoid health problems caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies during this period, vitamin and mineral supplements form an essential part of this phase of the diet.

After the initial two week period, carbohydrate intake is gradually increased until it reaches a level at which the dieter loses weight slowly and can reduce or eliminate the supplements. Once the target weight is reached, carbohydrate levels are again gradually increased until the dieter's weight becomes stable. Each of these carbohydrate levels varies from person to person. Dr. Atkins argues that many eating disorders are the result of hyperinsulinism, or excessive secretion of insulin, which, according to Atkins, causes food cravings and unstable blood sugar levels. Atkins claims that his diet stabilizes insulin and blood sugar levels, eliminating cravings and often reducing appetite.

Views in favor of the diet

Proponents of the diet mention that low-carbohydrate diets have been the subject of heated debate in medical circles for three decades, but are still "damned knowledge", so much so that until recently no serious research has been done on Atkins or other low carbohydrate diets. They mention that a few small research projects, as well as a great deal of anecdotal evidence, have shown such diets to help participants lose weight. A research study carried out by the Weight and Eating Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania, reported in May 2003 that the Atkins diet raised levels of HDL (or "good") cholesterol by an average of 11% and reduced the amount of triglycerides in the bloodstream by 17%. In the study, conventional dieters' HDL cholesterol raised by only 1.6% while their triglyceride levels did not improve significantly. Weight loss was also statistically greater in the Atkins dieters after three and six months compared with the conventional dieters (although this did not remain statistically significant after a year). The study followed the diets of 63 obese men and women. (See New Scientist, May 21 2003) Two other large-scale studies are planned, one funded by Atkins's nonprofit foundation.

There are reports indicating that studies have shown benefits for heartstroke as well as diabetic patients, and that many experts are already discussing a low carb nutrition for diabetic patients who may then be able to live their lives without any insulin. Like any diet, the health effects will depend a great deal on the food choices one makes to meet the macronutrient requirements specified by the diet.

Views critical of the diet

The Atkins diet has generally been considered by most medical and nutritional experts to be unsound or even quackery. Opponents of the diet mention that the initial weight loss upon starting on this diet is a phenomenon common with most diets, and is due to reduction in stored glycogen and related water in muscles, not fat loss. They claim that no evidence has surfaced that any diet will cause weight loss unless it reduces calories below the maintenance level. Dr. Robert Eckel of the American Heart Association says that high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets put people at risk for heart disease.

Another argument is that many countries whose traditional diets are high in carbohydrates and low in fat (for example, Japan) have significantly low rates of obesity. This seems to directly contradict Atkins' claims.

Attribition: This informational article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Atkins Nutritional Approach.

Dr Atkins diet - online resources

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc   - This is the official site; includes information about Dr. Robert C. Atkins and the low-carb eating plan. Also offers recipes, shopping, and details on the science behind the diet.

Low Carb Unlimted Atkins Diet Food Variety - Offering 20+ Brands of low carb foods.

Diet Depot - On-line catalog of food products and supplements supporting the Atkins diet, sugar-free and low carb diets.

Atkins Recipe - Ingredients and cooking menu tips for low carb diet plans.

Slimming Solutions - Offers slimming needs including the new diet patch, Fat Blockers, Trim Right, Thigh Hip and Tummy Slim, detox programs, cellusli, dr atkins, as well as hints, tips and advice.

Vitacost.com - Contains discounts on Atkins diet, Twinlab, Natrol, Nature's Way and Nature's Herbs.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc - Official site; includes information about Dr. Robert C. Atkins and the low-carb eating plan. Also offers recipes, shopping, and details on the science behind the diet.

La Tortilla Factory - Specializing in low-fat, low-carbohydrate tortillas for the Atkins Diet.

Dukes Chowder House - Located at Alki, Greenlake and Lake Union; contains menus, reservations, and "Duke's Version" Dr. Atkins Diet.

Atkins Diet and Low Carb Diets - Basics of the diet, physiological explanation of the concept, as well as recipes and Internet resources.

Free Diet Tips: Weight Loss Advice for Successful Dieting - Helpful resource for weight loss information, diet tips, Atkins diet plan, body slimming exercises and low fat recipes.

Atkins low carb diet chocolates - "Atkins diet low carb chocolates" sells Ross Chocolates low carbohydrate chocolate bars.

High Protein Low Carbohydrate Diet - High protein low carbohydrate weight loss diet program developed using findings from Atkins, and other high protein low carb diets. Has book and video purchase information with health tips online.

Low Carb Recipes, Gourmet Style - By author Karen Barnaby. Recipes tailored for Atkins diet but suitable to most menus and low carb diets. Links to other low carb information.

VitalitySecrets: Dr. Atkins Diet Assistance - Very common under-diagnosed health conditions can make low carbohydrate diets difficult. Publications are offered to help with overcoming these conditions in order to achieve increased vitality and healthy weight loss.

eScribe: Atkins Diet Bulletin Board - Bulletin board for all topics related to the Atkins diet.

Atkins Diet Support Forum - Low carb diet discussion and information including diet summaries and recipes.

Atkins at Home - Atkins at Home delivery fresh food to your home. The food is prepared in accordance with the Atkins diet and is licensed by Atkins Nutritionals.

Web-diets.com - Discussion forum for Atkins and other low carb diets. Summaries and comparisons of popular diets are provided.

Low Carb Recipes - A collection of categorized recipes suitable for diabetics and followers of the Atkins Diet. Contains a mixture of low carb, low fat and diet recipes.

A Taste of the Atkins Diet - Critique of the Atkins diet by Heartinfo.org. Published November 30, 2001. Does not include recent research data.

Everything Atkins - Information pertaining to the Dr. Atkins Diet including chat, low carb recipes, message boards and more.

Lowcarb.com - Dr. Atkins diet retailer, offering a varied selection of low carb products.

The Atkins diet at iVillage. - Contains excerpts from Dr. Atkin's book, a newsletter, and message board.

Lil' Low Carb Corner - This site is support for people who are Low Carbing. Atkins, Protein Power, The Zone and Carbohydrates Addict Diet.

Low Carb Chocolates - Low Carb Chocolate from Ross Chocolates. Perfect for low carbohydrate, diabetic, Atkins diet, sugarfree dieters.

Atkins Diet Information - A successful Atkins dieter offers advice for those starting out.

The Atkins Center - Official site of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. Includes information about Dr. Robert C. Atkins and the Atkins Diet, a low-carb eating plan.

Low-Carb Bakery - Offers low carb diet bakery goods, chocolate candy and desserts suitable for Dr. Atkins diet.

Best of Weight Loss: Articles about Dr. Atkins Diet - Covers the eating plan and low carb research, statistics, and discussions.

Low Carb Mall - Delicious, taste tested, products for Dr. Atkins' diet and sugar free foods.

Diet and Body : Atkins Diet and Calorie Intake - Describes clinical studies by Bassett Research Institute and Durham Veterans Medical Center showing calorie reduction attributed to carbohydrate abstaining.

Windsor-Hill Inc. - Unique low carbohydrate foods and sugar-free recipes/candy from a diabetic professional chef on Dr. Atkins diet.

Atkins Diet and Low Carbohydrate Weight Loss Support - News, forums, research topics, and recipes for low-carb dieters. Also includes international directory of low-carb shopping resources.

Everything Atkins - Information pertaining to the Atkins Diet. Message board, chat, and references.

Some Atkins diet listings from the ODP