Atkins Diet -- The Final Verdict

Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate diet is a safe and effective method for losing weight. This article evaluates the low carbohydrate diet and specifically the claims made about ketosis.

The Low Carb-Ketosis Link

By severely limiting carbohydrates in your diet, the main energy source used by your body, glucose, drops to low levels. In return, insulin levels also drop. With low glucose and low insulin levels, the body turns to alternative sources of energy.

Because of a significant change in your body's chemistry when on the Atkins Diet, certain metabolic pathways are turned "on" that are normally not "on" or run at very low levels. One such pathway involves the breakdown of fat, called Beta-Oxidation of Fats.

Now, normally fats are broken down to produce energy when your body senses a need. But in the context of a low Carb diet, the normal breakdown pathway of fats is altered and an alternative pathway kicks in. This alternative pathway produces what are called ketone bodies.

Ketosis is the term used to describe when ketone bodies are circulating in your bloodstream. The ketone bodies can be used as alternative sources of energy by, most importantly, your brain.

In case you might be curious, the three ketone bodies produced by this alternative pathway for breaking down fat are acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. These ketone bodies are formed in your liver and then are transported to other tissues, mainly the brain. In your brain, they are converted back to a form that can provide direct energy during times of starvation.

Here is the whole process...

Atkins Diet lowers glucose and insulin (the body's main energy source)

Alternative pathways are turned "on" to provide energy

One alternative pathway breaks down fat and produces ketone bodies

Ketone bodies represent the state called ketosis

The brain uses ketone bodies as an alternative source of energy

So, the Atkins Diet (and any low Carb diet) produces a low energy state (low glucose) that causes the breakdown fat using an alternative pathway that leads to the development of ketosis.

So far it sounds pretty good. By limiting Carbs in your diet, you can essentially force your body into breaking down stored fat, the very thing you need to get rid of to lose weight.

But there are problems...

Atkins Diet and Toxicity

Ketone bodies are toxic. Many supporters of low Carb diets claim that ketosis is safe. They state that they are natural byproducts of fat breakdown and even babies have high levels of circulating ketone bodies.

First, they are not natural by-products of fat metabolism. The normal beta-oxidation of fats does produce ketone bodies but these are incorporated into the normal cycle of energy production, called the Krebs cycle. When ketone bodies are circulating in your bloodstream, it signals an abnormal physiologic state, called starvation. They are not incorporated into the normal energy cycle, the Krebs cycle, and spill into the bloodstream.

Just because your body has the ability to transport ketone bodies to certain tissues and then use them for energy, does not make it a normal process. It is an alternative pathway that turns "on" only when your body is faced with depleted levels of the main energy source, glucose.

Secondly, babies are not small adults. A baby's liver and brain tissue are made up of different chemicals and pathways, specifically geared to handle the high fat diet coming from mother's milk. These pathways change as a baby grows and starts to eat other foods. Eventually, the normal adult pathways are set up and the infantile chemistry used as evidence to support the safety of ketosis, stop working.

But this is not even related to the fact that ketone bodies are toxic. In medicine, the three ketone bodies mentioned above are classified as toxic acidic chemicals. At high levels, they can cause your blood to become too acidic, a disease state called ketoacidosis.

Granted, this is rare because most of the ketone bodies will be used by the brain as an energy source. Ketoacidosis is usually seen in type 1 diabetics. It is a medical emergency.

So, is ketosis dangerous to your body? Yes and no. Yes, ketosis represents a state of starvation. Losing weight when the body thinks you're starving is the best way to guarantee weight regain. The weight will come back and come back as fat. No, ketosis will not cause ketoacidosis in non-diabetics. And as long as you have a large storage of fat, your brain will not starve for energy.

The Final Verdict

As an alternative physiologic state, ketosis is not dangerous, assuming the levels of ketone bodies do not increase to acidic levels.

As a diet plan, ketogenic diets are not recommended because of the state of starvation they create. Your metabolism will eventually slow down setting you up for weight regain in the near the future.

Ketogenic diets, like the Atkins Diet, may also be dangerous not because they cause ketosis, but because they promote high protein and fat intake. High protein diets, unless you're body building, increases urea production and can damage the kidneys. Supporters claim that this just doesn't happen, reporting that no kidney damage has occurred to the millions of dieters on Atkins Diet or other ketogenic diets.

However, it is well known that microscopic damage can occur to the kidneys effecting their ability to filter the blood. But clinical signs of this damage may take several years to manifest. Chronic renal insufficiency is a concern for ketogenic dieters, which may cause problems in the years to come.

Conclusion

Atkins Diet and other ketogenic diets (low Carb) can be safe and effective in causing weight loss. However, I recommend keeping ketosis to a minimum and keep your carbohydrate intake above 50 grams a day. Don't follow the suggestions for reaching an "induction" phase. It's not necessary to turn "on" the alternative pathways described above and burn fat.

Remember, healthy weight loss is to burn fat and fat only. But it also involves keeping your rate of weight loss around 2-3 pounds/week. The induction phase promoted by the Atkins Diet can result in a rate of weight loss far greater than 2-3 pounds/week. It may sound good to you now, but how does gaining it all back as fat sound? Because that will happen if you lose weight too fast.

For more information on ways to experience healthy weight loss, visit

Diet Basics.

To Healthy Living!

Dr. Michael A. Smith
Chief Medical Consultant
Diet Basics Website

Dr. Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant to Diet Basics, a content rich weight loss site dedicated to all dieters fighting to lose weight. Please visit his site at...Diet Basics

One visit and you'll be convinced that Dr. Smith and Diet Basics is your on-line resource for healthy weight loss!

---

Lose Weight the Healthy Way

It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More

Weight Loss: Are You Frustrated? Have Low Energy? Dont Feel Good about Yourself? Lose Weight Now!

Twenty years of health club consulting, 50,000 hours of paid... Read More

The Second Half of My Life

Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More

Survival Guide For Holiday Parties

If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More

How To Lose More Weight And Reach Your Goal With A Weight Loss Journal

The diary is an essential help in reaching your weight... Read More

Your Eight Hormones and Weight Loss

If you find this article helpful, please forward it to... Read More

Is Low-Carb Weight Loss Really Just Water Loss?

Any weight loss or diet plan, including low-carb plans like... Read More

Hoodia - An Elixir that Fights Obesity Part 1

Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More

The Ultimate Weight Loss Attitude

We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More

Weight Loss Options -- Infrared Radiant Heat Saunas (IR Saunas)

Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that... Read More

Are Weight Loss Supplements Worth It?

What do you think of the hundreds of weight loss... Read More

Fat Burners: The Biggest Rip-Off of the Weight Loss Industry?

Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More

The Cheapest Way To Stop Eating Junk Food and Start Finding Your Ideal Weight Again

Your health is your responsibility. As a human being, you... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #6

I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More

What are Fats?

Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More

How to Burn Fat: Doctors Proven Weight Loss Secret #1

Let me ask you a personal question. As you read... Read More

Weight Loss For Beginners

Getting into a weight loss program or any type of... Read More

Technology & Weight Loss: Putting An Online Tool to Use

Because the Internet allows so many millions of people to... Read More

The French Fry: Weapon of Mass Destruction?

Americans have their French fries, the British have their chips,... Read More

New Weight Loss Plan -- Resistance Training

My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More

Do You Really Want To Stop Smoking? Or Do You Use The Weight Gain Excuse?

I do not smoke, never have, and admit to being... Read More

The Perfect Diet Combined with a Healthy Weight Management

The perfect diet should be combined with a healthy weight... Read More

Super Sizing: Money Shrinks While Waist Lines Grow

"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More

Weight Loss Discipline

Why is it so hard to lose weight and keep... Read More

Understand the Science of Obesity And Youre On Your Way To Conquer It

Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight,... Read More

Obesity, Whats The Big Deal Part 4

In this issue, I am going to focus more on... Read More

How to Design the Perfect Diet

All Diets Are Based on the Same Premise: Eat Less... Read More

Will The Real Fitness Hormone Please Stand Up!

New Medical Research shows high-intensity exercise can increase the body's... Read More

Snack Ideas for Kids That Wont Wreck Moms Diet

If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More

Atkins Diet -- The Final Verdict

Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate... Read More

Hang In There Dieters, Help Is At Hand!!

I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More

Bathing Suit Season - A Lifestyle Guide

To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More

How to Start Losing Weight and Keep Losing Weight

I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More