How the Atkins Diet Works?
Dr. Atkins created the Atkins diet in the year 1972. His main
aim was to create a healthy diet so that people live long by
following a healthy lifestyle. His formula was:
Low carb = low insulin = ketosis phase = burning fat = losing
weight.
If a person reduces the carbohydrate intake to 30-40 grams a
day, the body will enter a phase, which is called as ketosis. In
this phase the body burns fat and it will affect the production
of insulin in the liver. Once you enter the ketosis phase your
body will start using fat, as fuel and the desire for
carbohydrate products will drop. The logic behind the Akins diet
is that when you lower your carb intake the body starts using
the excess fat and you begin to lose weight.
The first stage limits/restricts the carbohydrate intake to 20
grams a day. The second stage you increase the carbohydrates and
fiber rich foods to 20-25 grams every day. During the second
week you increase it to 30 grams and keep the diet continuous
until your weight loss stops. After this you start deducting 5
grams of carb every day to stay at that level. The third stage
you can increase the carb intake by 5-10 grams per week. In the
fourth stage you can add on some good carbohydrate to your
existing diet.
Atkins diet has been a success worldwide and many people follow
this diet to reduce their weight. It is estimated that nearly 20
million people have followed this dieting technique. Much
research has been done on Atkins diet and it has proved to be a
safe and healthy diet for people who are obese. There has also
been a reduction in "bad cholesterol" levels in people.