What is the Atkins Diet?

by Liam Derbyshire Del.icio.us Delicious Digg Digg Facebook Myspace Myspace Ask Ask

Of all of the diets being promoted on the market today to speed fat and weight loss, few have received the media attention of the Atkins diet. The question is, what is the Atkins Diet? Who is it for? And does it really work?

What is It?

The first question most people ask when they hear about the Atkins Diet is, “What is an Atkins Diet?” The Atkins Diet was developed by Dr. Robert Atkins and promoted in the 1970s through a series of books written by Atkins himself. When the diet first hit the market it marked a dramatic chance in the way people thought about weight loss. Atkins argued that refined carbohydrates such as sugar, flour and high-fructose corn syrup, and trans-fats like those found in hydrogenated oils (as opposed to saturated fats) were truly responsible for the trend in western obesity.

When the body produces energy it does so by metabolizing glucose from dietary sources first, then stored body fat. Dr. Atkins theorized that by restricting the body’s intake of carbohydrates the metabolism could be encouraged to burn stored body fat instead. The Atkins Diet restricts the body’s short and long term “net carb” intake, encouraging fat metabolism while decreasing the hunger dieters feel throughout the day.

Who is it For?

The Atkins Diet was designed to work for anyone striving to lose weight, particularly those who have tried other methods in the past with little success. There are also ways to tailor the diet in order to meet the nutritional needs of both vegans and diabetics, making the Atkins diet suitable for all ages, races and economic groups. (Although it is always wise to check with your doctor before embarking on any weight loss program if you have a health condition which may be affected by your eating habits.)

Does it Work?

The success of the Atkins diet has been debated since it first began to grow in popularity. Most followers of the Atkins Diet will swear to its success, particularly those that have managed to incorporate this limited carbohydrate intake into their permanent eating habits. The diet has proven to be far more successful than many limited calorie diets, as calorie restriction over time will cause the metabolism to adapt and actually stall weight loss.

Although individual results may vary, the Atkins Diet has initiated weight loss in hundreds of individuals struggling with their weight and may be the ideal solution for anyone willing and able to embark on a long term, low-carbohydrate weight loss program.