This diet was popular for years but the Atkins diet has taken over with force.
The science behind the Atkins diet is that carbohydrates are turned into body fat when there is an increase of insulin. When a high carb meal is eaten, increased blood sugar causes the pancreas produces more insulin. Insulin is how the cells utilize the blood sugar but it also causes fat deposits and sends hunger signals to the brain. When people feel hungry they eat more which repeats the whole cycle. Cutting carbs out of the diet or greatly reducing them decreases the amount of insulin produced as well increases the amount of glucagons. Glucagons are the hormones that cause the body to burn fat and remove cholesterol from the arteries. When enough carbohydrates have been removed from the diet the blood sugar levels stabilize, insulin production is decreased and, as a result, pounds start falling off because the body enters a state of ketosis. .
Since this diet is fairly new there have not been studies on the long-term health effects. Most studies have lasted six months to a year but manufacturers don't want to wait for the results when there is so much money to be made right now with the low-carb products.
Many nutrition experts have opposing views on this topic. There are many doctors that believe that the Atkins diet and the other low carb diets are very healthy and can help to battle the obesity in America. But, there are many professionals that believe that this diet works well to lose weight quickly but has negative long-term effects. Dr. James J. Kenney, PhD, RD, FACN, gave the top ten reasons a low carb diet is wrong. .
1. Heart risk increases on a diet high in animal protein, cholesterol and fat.
2. Cancer risk increases when grains, beans, fruits and many vegetables are removed .
3. Poor long term weight control because limiting variety in foods causes boredom and leads to sugar binges.
4. Reduced athletic performance because carbohydrates increase endurance.