Atkins Diet Basics

The Atkins diet is not a new phenomenon. The diet first appeared in the late seventies and has become more popular in recent years as a reaction to the low-fat diet craze. Because dieters were struggling with low-fat plans, they started looking for a new solution and Dr. Atkins found a new audience New Diet Revolution book.

A lot of people jumped on the Atkins band car and a lot of hype started. But what are the basics of the Atkins diet?

The Atkins Diet is based on a theory of why we're getting fat. According to Dr. Atkins, overconsumption of carbohydrates and simple sugars leads to weight gain. The way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat has more to do with your waistline than the amount of fat or calories you consume. In his book, Atkins outlines a phenomenon called insulin resistance. He theorizes that many overweight people have cells that don't work properly.

When you eat excess carbohydrates and sugar, your body notices that the sugar content is increased. Insulin is released from the pancreas to store sugar as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells for extra energy later on. However, your body can only store as much glycogen at one time. Once your body reaches its glycogen storage limit, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat. This happens to anyone who eats too much carbohydrates.

However, insulin resistant individuals find it even more difficult to use and store excess carbohydrates. The more insulin your body is exposed to, the more resistant it becomes. Over time, the pancreas releases more insulin and the cells become insulin resistant. The cells try to protect themselves against the toxic effects of high insulin. They create less glycogen and more fat.

As a result, insulin resistant individuals gain extra weight. The carbohydrates are converted into fat instead of energy. Other side effects include fatigue, brain fatigue (the inability to concentrate, poor memory, loss of creativity), low blood sugar (which can lead to hypoglycemia), bloating in the intestines, drowsiness, depression and increased blood sugar levels. There is much more at stake than just weight if you are insulin resistant.

The remedy for people who are insulin resistant is a diet that is limited in carbohydrates. At the heart of the Atkins diet is the restriction of carbohydrates in all its forms. The foods that are restricted on the Atkins plan include simple sugars (such as cookies, soft drinks, and sweets) and complex carbohydrates (such as bread, rice, and grains). Even carbohydrates that are considered healthy, such as oatmeal, brown rice and wholemeal bread, are limited on the program.

The diet limits the intake of carbohydrates to less than 40 grams per day. This will put your body in a state of ketosis. While you are in ketosis, your body will burn fat as fuel. According to Dr. Atkins research, the ketosis state will also affect insulin production and prevent more fat from being formed. Your body will use your stored fat as an efficient form of fuel, and you will lose weight.

Another advantage of the Atkins plan is that ketosis eliminates your need for carbohydrates. If you live on a carbohydrate-rich diet, you may simply not be able to get enough carbohydrates. With carbohydrate restriction and ketosis there will be a reduction in the need for carbohydrates. People who have been on the Atkins diet for some time report that they no longer have as much need for carbohydrates as they used to.

Although the early stages of the Atkins diet are quite rigorous, the program teaches you to restore balance to your diet in the long run. People who use the diet slowly reintroduce minimal amounts of carbohydrates into their diet until they find a comfortable balance between their health and the use of carbohydrates.

The basic principles of the Atkins diet have been adapted to many other low-carb diet plans. However, the popularity of Atkins remains high as one of the most effective low-carb solutions for those who are insulin resistant.