Diets to Lose Body Fat, Is Atkins Safe?

Supporters and detractors of the popular Atkins diet have recently engaged in numerous arguments in the media. I will try to summarize the pros and cons of the diet so you can make a decision for yourself.

First let’s examine the facts quickly. Unsurprisingly, it’s estimated that over 40 million American are deciding to choose low carb style diets in their bids to lose weight. Companies and marketers have been making a killing in profits targeting people who have chose this dietary change, by releasing well over 500 products that include the no carb or low carb label.

That must mean it works, right? Yes and no, experts have debated the long term effects on health and come to the conclusion that low carbs diets such as Atkins can be risky business, especially if you’re over 40.

The diet of all low carb diets, Atkins, which goes with the notion that carb sugars was the main reason for people becoming overweight. WIth all the false statements out there these days, there is slight truth to that statement, as it is usually a mixture of the highly refined sugars, along with the saturated fats, which have helped cause the wide spread fat epedimic today.

The principle is that carbs raise blood sugar levels and then trigger insulin production, in which the insulin directed those refined sugars into your cells, preventing the burning of fat. So, the theory was that if we cut the carbs, the body would use these sugars as it’s primary source of fuel, and the body would start burning fat for energy instead.

Knowing the detrimental effects that sugar can have on your health, Atkins is opposed to any sugar in your diet. Fat and protein are a part of the Atkins diet, not sugars and carbohydrates. It will be difficult and near impossible for vegans and vegetarians to follow Atkins because the system specifically recommends animal proteins as its basis.

The bad news, not only does the body begin to shed fat, but lean muscle as well. This tissue is required to maintain a higher metabolism. In addition, the body’s reserves of water are unloaded as the body tries to extract nutrients formerly provided by carbohydrate ingestion. Ketones are produced when the body burns large amounts of fats without a sufficient supply of carbohydrates.

Ketones produce side effects such as head aches, dizzyness, dehydration, bad breath and nausea. Long term you can add bone loss, muscle breakdown and kidney disease to the picture, plus as the brain has lost it’s primary source of fuel from carb sugars, therefore brain damage and increased risk of a heart attack can result.

In spite of everything, if you want to lose your fat weight you should really try this effective diet. Checking with your doctor and doing research are good tools to use before starting any diet.

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