Information found at http://www.atkins.com/
The Atkins View
-The concept is to change the body from a "carb-burning to a fat-burning machine"
-The emphasis of eating the foods that "the body was meant to consume"
-Teaches individuals the "right foods to keep the body burning fat"
-Belief that the diet "works with our bodies" and that it reduces health risks factors such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes
(http://www.atkins.com/)
FYI: They also promote the selling of their very own food products in order for it to be easier to follow the diet.
Health Professionals Prospective
-Found that people on the Atkins diet lost more weight and faster on a six month basis
-When compared to other diets (low-fat, low-calorie) the long term (1 year+) weight loss was not statistically significant.
-Research found no correlation between ketosis and weight loss
-Prolonged ketosis may deplete mineral stores in the bone, making them brittle and porous
-Concerns of the long term effects of low carb diets, especially on the heart
-Foods restricted on these diets (such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables) are known to to have minerals and vitamins to reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.
-Foods promoted in the low-carb diets (such as meats, creams, butter) are found to increase risks of heart disease and some cancers.
The American Heart Association states:
" Individuals who follow these diets are therefore at risk for compromised vitamin and mineral intake, as well as potential cardiac, renal [kidney], bone, and liver abnormalities overall."
Infomation found at:
http://www.atkinsexposed.org/atkins/99/Mayo_Clinic.htm
What's on My mind??? The Analysis
In order to get a full understanding of this diet I'd have to define ketosis.
KETOSIS: an abnormal accumulation of ketones in the body as a result of excessive breakdown of fat caused by deficiency or inadequate use of carbohydrates. Fatty acids are metabolized instead, and the end product, ketones, begin to accumulate. This is often seen in starvation. Untreated ketosis may progress to ketoacidosis, coma, and death (Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professionions, 7th edition, p.1042).
Though the Atkins website never actually uses the term ketosis in describing the diet...ultimately putting the body in the state of ketosis is the atkins goal. Instead they describe ketosis as changing the body from a "carb-burning to a fat-burning machine." The Atkins belief is that the diet is completely healthy. The site continually uses this focus as an advertisment technique, though health professionals state otherwise. I was able to find a site that disproved health professionals (discribed above) however, after a closer look, many of the supporters and references were low-carb diet programs (including the Atkins program) and medical professionals who also supported low-carb diets. These sites also lacked in credentials. Also, found in small print at the bottom of the page were warnings to not assume that the info provided were in any way medically or scientifically proven.
Found on multiple sections of the Atkins site is the idea that burning fat as opposed to carbs is a healthy option for the body. They fail to explain that carbohydrates are the bodies primary source of energy, especially the brain. the brain actually uses up 2 times more energy than other cells in the body! Fat can be a source of short term energy use...say, when the body is experiencing stress, like starvation. Studies actually show that when the brain is deprived of its primary source of energy (Glucose-which is from the breakdown of carbs), there is a significant deterioration in attention abilites in the brain. So it does make me wonder, what else is it really effecting???
Information found at:
http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/nutrition/sport/carbohydrate.html
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