Atkins Diet Opponent – Too Good To Be True

Chances are you or someone you know has been on the Dr. Atkins' Diet and has lost weight. It seems too good to be true – because it is! Just because a diet produces weight loss doesn’t make it a good, safe, or sound way to eat. In a culture where fad diets abound, fifty percent of all Americans are overweight and many are unhealthy. Many of these fad diets tout extremes of indulgence or of omission, neither of which is recommended by the real experts! The Atkins’ Diet is no different. It may leave you weighing less, but it won’t leave you healthier!

Dr. Robert C. Atkins has and is taking advantage of over 20 million people and their desperation to fight the battle of the bulge. His unscientific, ketosis inducing high-protein/very low carbohydrate diet recommendations are unsafe. The fact that so many choose to take his fictional word over that of biochemists, dietitians, and proven scientific research illustrates the true disease in our society. This desperation for weight loss seems to have surpassed the search for optimal health and common sense. One can lose weight, and quickly on the Atkins diet, but not without serious potential health risks.

True examination of his proposed philosophy should illustrate the truth, but it’s up to you to believe the truth over what you want to believe! Consider his basic premises and the scientific rationale:

Atkins: We should severely restrict most carbohydrates because they cause an increase in the body’s insulin production, which then causes the food eaten to be readily converted into body fat.

Response: Our body cells need glucose (preferably from carbohydrates) for energy. Carbohydrates are critical as fuel for our brain and red blood cells, and are the most efficient source of energy. The purpose of insulin is to allow carbohydrates into the cells of our body for energy and into the liver to be stored energy for later use. Insulin also regulates the glucose level in our bloodstream at all times. Insulin does not cause carbohydrates to be converted to fat unless there is excess above and beyond what the brain, red blood cells, muscle cells and liver need at that time. As a matter of fact, the body prefers not to turn carbohydrate into fat, so it actually burns up 25% of the carbohydrate calories in the process. However the body hoards all extra fat from meals into the fat cells. The same is true with excessive protein, which is converted into fat if we take in more than what our body needs. Also, if we don’t get enough carbohydrate our body goes into a sort of starvation mode and will start breaking down protein and converting it to glucose. This is not desirable as it can inhibit normal protein function, which includes building and maintaining our muscle tissue and immune system, hormone production and more. Given long enough carbohydrate depletion, protein in the muscles, heart, liver, kidneys and other vital organs break down and become weakened. In other words, proper amounts of carbohydrate keep your body from eating its own muscles. We need at least 50-100 grams of carbohydrate per day to prevent this from happening, as well as to ensure the complete break down of fats. The Atkins’ diet recommends only around 20 grams of carbohydrates daily!

Atkins: High carbohydrate meals tend to leave you less satisfied than those that contain adequate fat levels; so you eat more and get hungrier sooner.

Response: This is untrue as well. Carbohydrates in the diet produce more of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, which affects brain activity, especially mood and appetite that can leave us feeling calm, satisfied and less depressed. The fiber in complex carbohydrates also provides bulk, which makes us feel full.

Atkins: Get off of the low-fat diet, and start cutting down on your carbohydrate consumption and you’ll start to burn fat for energy, you’ll feel better and your overall health will improve.

Response: This is perhaps the most misleading of all his recommendations! First of all, fats cannot be converted into carbohydrates, and they can only be partially broken down for energy in the absence of adequate carbohydrates. This partial breakdown of fats produces a dangerous by-product called ketones, which concentrate in the blood and lead to a condition known as ketosis. Ketosis disturbs the normal pH of your blood and can lead to cell damage and coma. Over time, the stress of processing so many ketones can damage your kidneys, causing ketoacidosis or toxic ammonia in your blood, according to Megan McCrory, Ph.D, researcher in the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, at Tufts University. Also, after following this diet for a significant period of time and then quitting it, your body fights to convert even more food to fat because it fears more of this starvation state. It wants to build up bigger fat reserves and the result is that you gain more fat than you had when you started!

It is well researched and documented that vegetarians are often less afflicted with digestive system disorders, diabetes or gallstones, and have a reduced risk of heart disease. Also, the traditional Japanese diet, which is high in carbohydrate and low in protein and fat, is a model to be noted for good health. According to Dr. Laura Pawlak, Ph.D., R.D., M.S.

Protein promoters state that humankind evolved on a high protein diet. True, but the average lifespan was 30 years. If humans want to live to be 90+, it is important to eat the foods that prevent diseases, such as heart disease and cancers. Carbohydrate-rich plant food, including a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains is proven for longevity.

Since fat often follows protein the same could be said for high-fat consumption. You don’t have to become vegetarian, but don’t be ridiculously carnivorous either. As always, my soapbox preaches variety, balance and moderation in all diet plans.

Also see; controversy with the Atkins low carb diet.

About The Author:

Angela Storm is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.atkins-diet-plan-n-recipes.com. Information about the Atkins diet plan and low carb cooking for long term weight loss.