Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution book which is well known and had a good response with many readers being crazy about it when it was first published in late 1970s and has become very popular of late gives ideas of low-fat diet craze among people who had problems with low-fat plans.
A number of people have taken to this style of Atkins and hence there has been a lot of publicity. It is also necessary to know the basic factors to be followed for the Atkins diet.
Dr. Atkins has explained that the excess intake of carbohydrates and simple sugars causes the weight in people and this theory is explained in the diet. The waistline of the body is dependant on the method in which the carbohydrates is processed by your body more than the quantity of fat and calorie intake. Atkins describes a process called insulin resistance. He believes that fat people have cells in their body which do not function properly.
Consumption of too much carbohydrates and sugar is found to increase the sugar levels. The pancreas secretes Insulin to be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles for the excess energy to be used later.
People who can withstand insulin find it difficult to use and store the extra carbohydrates. The body becomes more resistant when more insulin is exposed to it. In the long run the pancreas let out more insulin and the cells withstand the insulin, and safeguard themselves from the toxic effects of the high insulin and make less of glycogen and more of fat.
Hence people who have resistance to insulin tend to become fatter as the carbohydrates are replaced into fat rather than energy. This is followed by fatigue, brain fog (the incapacity to concentrate, forgetfulness and no creativeness) , low blood sugar levels (which may cause hypoglycemia) swelling of the intestines, sleepiness, depression and also increased blood sugar. There are other risks also involved when you are insulin resistant.
The most important aspect of the Atkins diet is to limit the intake of carbohydrates in any form and this is the best treatment for those who are insulin resistant. The foods to be avoided on the Atkins plan are simple sugars (like cookies, sodas and sweets) and also the complex carbohydrates (like bread, rice and grains) Carbohydrates like oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread do also come under the restrictions.
A total of carbohydrate consumption to be avoided is about 40 grams per day as per the diet, which may cause ketosis where the fat is burned out. Dr. Atkins also has conducted research that proves that the insulin production is also affected in the state of ketosis and prevents fat formation. As the body starts to use the stored fat the body loses fat as fuel which in turn makes you lose weight.
Hence people slowly learn to balance their diet though the starting process of Atkins diet are very strict and switch over to low intake of carbohydrate in their diet till they are able to maintain a balance between their health and intake of carbohydrate
Atkins diet still is a popular and very effective low-carbohydrate solution for people who are insulin resistant and the basic principles of Atkins diet have been used in many of the low-carb diet plans also.