The Atkins diet, officially called the Atkins Nutritional Approach, is a low-carbohydrate diet Low-carbohydrate diets or low-carb diets are dietary programs that restrict carbohydrate consumption usually for weight control or for the treatment of obesity. Foods high in digestible carbohydrates are limited or replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of proteins and fats (e.g., meat, soy products) and often other foods low in created by Robert Atkins Robert Coleman Atkins, MD was an American physician and cardiologist, best known for the Atkins Nutritional Approach (or "Atkins Diet"), a popular but controversial way of dieting that entails close control of carbohydrate consumption, emphasizing protein and fat intake, including saturated fat in addition to leaf vegetables and dietary from a research paper he read in the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world published by Gordon Azar and Walter Lyons Bloom. Atkins stated that he used the study to resolve his own overweight Overweight is generally defined as having more body fat than is optimally healthy. Being overweight is a common condition, especially where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary. As much as 64% of the United States adult population is considered either overweight or obese, and this percentage has increased over the last four condition. He later popularized it in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution in 1972. In his second book, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, he modified or changed parts of the diet but did not alter the original concepts.

Atkins franchise, a business formed to provide products to those individuals on the diet, was highly successful because of the popularity of the diet, and is considered the driving entity of the larger "low-carb craze".[1]

Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution book

Contents

Nature of the diet

Atkins said that there are important unrecognized factors in Western eating habits leading to obesity Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Body mass index , a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight (pre-obese) when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30. Primarily, he believed that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates A carbohydrate is an organic compound with the general formula Cmn, that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with the last two in the 2:1 atom ratio. Carbohydrates can be viewed as hydrates of carbon, hence their name. Structurally however, it is more accurate to view them as polyhydroxy aldehydes and ketones, particularly sugar Sugar is an informal term for a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose characterized by a sweet flavor. In food, sugar almost exclusively refers to sucrose, which primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet. Other sugars are used in industrial food preparation, but are usually known by more specific, flour In the culinary sense, flour is a powder made of cereal grains, other seeds, or roots. It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history. Wheat flour is one of the most important foods in, and high-fructose corn syrup High-fructose corn syrup – called isoglucose, maize syrup, or glucose-fructose syrup in the UK and glucose/fructose in Canada – comprises any of a group of corn syrups that has undergone enzymatic processing to convert its glucose into fructose and has then been mixed with pure corn syrup (100% glucose) to produce a desired sweetness. In the.

The Atkins Diet involves restriction of carbohydrates to more frequently switch the body's metabolism Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in living organisms to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories. Catabolism breaks down organic matter, for example to harvest energy in cellular from burning glucose Glucose , a simple sugar (monosaccharide), is an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as a source of energy and a metabolic intermediate. Glucose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and starts cellular respiration. Starch and cellulose are polymers derived from the dehydration of glucose. The name "glucose" comes as fuel to burning stored body fat. This process, called ketosis In biology, ketosis is a state of the organism characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood, by the process of ketogenesis. Ketone bodies are formed when the liver glycogen stores are depleted. The ketone bodies acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate are used for energy, begins when insulin levels are low; in normal humans, insulin Insulin is a hormone that is central to regulate energy and glucose metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle is lowest when blood glucose levels are low (mostly before eating). Ketosis lipolysis Lipolysis is the hydrolysis of lipids. Metabolically it is the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acids within cells. When fats are broken down for energy the process is known as beta oxidation. Ketones are produced, and are found in large quantities in ketosis . Lipolysis testing strips such as Ketostix are used to recognize ketosis occurs when some of the lipid stores in fat cells are transferred to the blood and are thereby used for energy. On the other hand, caloric carbohydrates (for example, glucose or starch Starch or amylum is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by all green plants as an energy store. It is the most important carbohydrate in the human diet and is contained in such staple foods as potatoes, wheat, maize , rice, and cassava, the latter made of chains of glucose) impact the body by increasing blood sugar The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally, in mammals the body maintains the blood glucose level at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM (mmol/L, ie, millimoles/liter). It is tightly regulated as a part of metabolic homeostasis after consumption. (In the treatment of diabetes, blood sugar levels are used to determine a patient's daily insulin requirements.)[2] Lastly, because of fiber's low digestibility, it provides little or no food energy Food energy is the amount of energy obtained from food that is available through cellular respiration and does not significantly impact glucose and insulin levels.

In his book Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Atkins made the controversial argument that the low-carbohydrate diet produces a metabolic advantage because "burning fat takes more calories so you expend more calories."[3] He cited one study where he estimated this advantage to be 950 Calories (4.0 MJ) per day. A review study published in the Lancet[4] concluded that there was no such metabolic advantage and dieters were simply eating fewer calories because of boredom. Professor Astrup stated, "The monotony and simplicity of the diet could inhibit appetite and food intake".

The Atkins Diet restricts "net carbs" (digestible carbohydrates that impact blood sugar). One effect is a tendency to decrease the onset of hunger, perhaps because of longer duration of digestion (fats and proteins take longer to digest than carbohydrates). Atkins says in his New Diet Revolution (2002) that hunger is the number one reason why low-fat diets fail. Although studies show the efficacy of the Atkins approach after one year is the same as some low-fat diets, Atkins stated that the Atkins diet is easier than low-fat diets because low-fat dieters "were often hungry and always felt deprived".[3]

Net carbohydrates can be calculated from a food source by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols A sugar alcohol is a hydrogenated form of carbohydrate, whose carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group (hence the alcohol). Sugar alcohols have the general formula H(HCHO)n+1H, whereas sugars have H(HCHO)nHCO. In commercial foodstuffs sugar alcohols are commonly used in place of (which are shown to have a smaller effect on blood sugar levels) from total carbohydrates. Sugar alcohols contain about two calories per gram, and the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the deadly consequences of diabetes and to help those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes); delivers services to hundreds recommends that diabetics count each gram as half a gram of carbohydrate.[5] Fructose Fructose is a simple monosaccharide found in many foods and is one of the three important dietary monosaccharides along with glucose and galactose. The organic fructose molecule was first discovered by Augustin-Pierre Dubrunfaut in 1847. Fructose is a white solid that dissolves in water – it is the most water-soluble of all the sugars. Honey, (for example, as found in many industrial sweeteners) has four calories per gram but has a very low glycemic index[6] and does not cause insulin production, probably because ß cells have low levels of GLUT5.[7][8]

Preferred foods in all categories are whole, unprocessed foods with a low glycemic index The glycemic index, glycaemic index, or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.[citation needed] Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion and release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more gradually into the bloodstream,, although restrictions for low glycemic carbohydrates (black rice, vegetables, etc.) are the same as those for high glycemic carbohydrates (sugar, white bread). Atkins Nutritionals, the company formed to market foods which work with the Atkins Diet, recommends that no more than 20% of calories eaten while on the diet come from saturated fat Saturated fat is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acid radicals. There are several kinds of naturally occurring saturated fatty acids, which differ by the number of carbon atoms, ranging from 3 carbons to 36 (Hexatriacontanoic acid). Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the carbon atoms of the fatty.[9]

Atkin's book, Atkins Diabetes Revolution, states that, for people whose blood sugar is abnormally high or who have Type 2 diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus —often simply referred to as diabetes—is a condition in which a person has a high blood sugar (glucose) level, either because the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or because body cells don't properly respond to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas which enables body cells to absorb, the Atkins diet decreases or eliminates the need for drugs to treat these conditions. The Atkins Blood Sugar Control Program (ABSCP) is an individualized approach to weight control and permanent management of the risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.[10] Nevertheless, the causes of Type 2 diabetes remain obscure, and the Atkins Diet is not accepted in conventional therapy for diabetes.[citation needed]

Ketogenic diet

Main article: Ketogenic diet The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet primarily used to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Normally, the carbohydrates contained in food are converted into glucose, which is then transported around the

The induction phase of the Atkins diet is a ketogenic diet The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet primarily used to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Normally, the carbohydrates contained in food are converted into glucose, which is then transported around the. In ketogenic diets there is production of ketones that contribute to the energy production in the Krebs cycle The citric acid cycle — also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle , the Krebs cycle, or more rarely, the Szent-Györgyi-Krebs cycle, — is a series of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions, which is of central importance in all living cells that use oxygen as part of cellular respiration. In eukaryoteic cells, the citric acid cycle occurs in the.[11] Ketogenic diets rely on the insulin response to blood glucose. Because ketogenic dieters eat few carbohydrates, there is no glucose that can trigger the insulin response. When there is no glucose-insulin response there are some hormonal changes that cause the stored fat to be used for energy. Blood glucose levels have to decrease to less than 3.58 mmol/L for growth hormone, epinephrine, and glucagon to be released to maintain energy metabolism.[11] In the adipose cells, growth hormone and epinephrine initiate the triacylglycerol to be broken down to fatty acids. These fatty acids go to the liver and muscle where they should be oxidized and give acetyl-CoA that enters the Krebs cycle directly.[11] However, the excess acetyl-CoA in the liver is converted to ketones (ketone bodies), that are transported to other tissues. In these tissues they are converted back into acetyl-CoA in order to enter the Krebs cycle. Glucagon is produced when blood glucose is too low, and it causes the liver to start breaking glycogen into glucose. Since the dieter does not eat any more carbohydrates, there is no glycogen in the liver to be broken down, so the liver converts fats into free fatty acids and ketone bodies, and this process is called ketosis. Because of this, the body is forced to use fats as a primary fuel source. This is why the Atkins diet is a ketogenic diet.[11]

Main risks and benefits

The risks and benefits of the Atkins diet remain a subject of much debate. Some studies conclude that the Atkins diet helps prevent cardiovascular disease, lowers the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and increases the amount of HDL cholesterol. Other studies concluded that the diet contributes to cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.[12][13]

Cholesterol

According to Harper (2004) in a year-long study, the concentration of HDL High-density lipoprotein is one of the five major groups of lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL) that enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported within the water-based bloodstream. In healthy individuals, about thirty percent of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy steroid metabolite found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes, where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition, cholesterol is an important component for the manufacture of bile increased, and insulin resistance Insulin resistance is a physiological condition where the natural hormone, insulin, becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars. The resulting increase in blood glucose may raise levels outside the normal range and cause adverse health effects. Certain cell types such as fat and muscle cells require insulin to absorb glucose. When these cells improved much more in dieters following the Atkins diet than in those following a low fat, calorie restricted diet. Harper also mentions that there had not been enough prior research to allow him to confidently say that Atkins is safe to be recommended to patients.[14] However, as Barnett et al. reported in 2009, some later studies have yielded opposite results: cholesterol levels have increased in almost one third of dieters using low-carbohydrate diets, like Atkins, and since then two cardiac deaths have been reported, one due to coronary heart disease, and the other due to arrhythmia.[15]

Methylglyoxal

A 2005 study by Beisswenger and colleagues compared levels of the glycotoxin methylglyoxal (MG) before and after starting the Atkins diet. MG is associated with blood vessel and tissue damage, and is higher in people with poorly controlled diabetes. The study found that MG levels doubled shortly after the diet was started, noting that the MG rise was related to the presence of ketosis. A rise in acetol and acetone was found, indicating that MG was produced by oxidation. MG also arose as a by-product of triglyceride breakdown and from lipoxidation (ketosis related to fat intake).[16]

Whether or not increased methylglyoxal is harmful to human beings has been questioned by the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science who, in a 2008 critical overview of various studies, (including Beisswenger's study), state, "The authors present a brief critical overview of studies indicating both toxic and beneficial effects of methylglyoxal and suggest that the beneficial effects of methylglyoxal outweigh its toxic effects." While not drawing any definite conclusions the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science recommends further study especially in the area of using methylglyoxal to cure or treat cancer.[17]

Other

High protein diets can cause the loss of calcium and a lowering in urinary citrate levels, which may lead to osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in women as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard and kidney stones Kidney stones results from stones or renal calculi (from Latin ren, renes, "kidney" and calculi, "pebbles") in the ureter. The stones are solid concretions or calculi (crystal aggregations) formed in the kidneys from dissolved urinary minerals. Nephrolithiasis (from Greek νεφρός (nephros, "kidney") and λιθoς (Ornish,2004). Ketone bodies are excreted in urine with cations to neutralize the charge, so the body is losing essential cation minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which in one case led to the death of a sixteen-year-old girl. She died from ventricular fibrillation Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which there is uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles in the heart, making them tremble rather than contract properly. While there is activity, perhaps best described as "writhing like a can filled with worms" it is undetectable by palpation (feeling) at major pulse arrest two weeks after starting a high protein-low carbohydrate diet. During resuscitation attempts she had hypokalemia Hypokalemia , hypokalaemia (British English), or hypopotassemia (ICD-9) refers to the condition in which the concentration of potassium (K+) in the blood is low. The prefix hypo- means low (contrast with hyper-, meaning high). Kal refers to kalium, the Neo-Latin for potassium, and -emia means "in the blood." (lower than normal amount of potassium in the blood) and also hypocalcemia In medicine, hypocalcemia is the presence of low serum calcium levels in the blood, usually taken as less than 2.1 mmol/L or 9 mg/dl or an ionized calcium level mm of less than 1.1 mmol/L . It is a type of electrolyte disturbance. In the blood, about half of all calcium is bound to proteins such as serum albumin, but it is the unbound, or ionized, (lower than normal amount of calcium in the blood)[18] Ornish also wrote that the Atkins diet leads to constipation in 70% of the subjects, 65% had halitosis Halitosis, or bad breath, is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source due to bacteria or otherwise. Halitosis has a significant impact – personally and socially – on those who suffer from it or believe they do , and is estimated to be the third-most-frequent reason (bad breath due to exhaled ketones), 54% were experiencing headaches, and 10% reported hearing loss.[18]

The four phases

There are four phases of the Atkins diet: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance.

Induction

The Induction phase is the first, and most restrictive, phase of the Atkins Nutritional Approach. Two weeks are recommended for this phase. It is intended to cause the body to quickly enter a state of ketosis In biology, ketosis is a state of the organism characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood, by the process of ketogenesis. Ketone bodies are formed when the liver glycogen stores are depleted. The ketone bodies acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate are used for energy. Carbohydrate intake is limited to no more or less than 20 net grams The gram , (Greek/Latin root grámma); symbol g, is a unit of mass per day (grams of carbohydrates minus grams of fiber, sugar alcohols A sugar alcohol is a hydrogenated form of carbohydrate, whose carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone, reducing sugar) has been reduced to a primary or secondary hydroxyl group (hence the alcohol). Sugar alcohols have the general formula H(HCHO)n+1H, whereas sugars have H(HCHO)nHCO. In commercial foodstuffs sugar alcohols are commonly used in place of, or glycerin Glycerol is an organic compound, also called glycerin or glycerine. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol has three hydrophilic hydroxyl groups that are responsible for its solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature. The glycerol substructure is a central component of many), 12 to 15 net grams of which must come in the form of salad greens and other vegetables such as broccoli Broccoli is a plant of the mustard/cabbage family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). It is classified in the Italica cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea. Broccoli has large flower heads, usually green in color, arranged in a tree-like fashion on branches sprouting from a thick, edible stalk. The mass of flower heads is surrounded by, spinach, pumpkin, cauliflower Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. It is an annual plant that reproduces by seed. Typically, only the head of aborted floral meristems is eaten, while the stalk and surrounding thick, green leaves are used in vegetable broth or discarded. Cauliflower is nutritious, and may be, turnips, tomatoes, and asparagus Asparagus officinalis is a spring vegetable. A flowering perennial plant species in the genus Asparagus in the lily family, like its allium cousins, onions and garlic, it is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. and is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop, to name a few of the 54 allowed by Atkins (but not legumes A legume in botanical writing is a plant in the family Fabaceae , or a fruit of these specific plants. A legume fruit is a simple dry fruit that develops from a simple carpel and usually dehisces (opens along a seam) on two sides. A common name for this type of fruit is a pod, although "pod" is also applied to a few other fruit types,, such as green beans, since they are too starchy for the induction phase). The allowed foods include a liberal amount of all meats, poultry Poultry is the category of domesticated birds that people keep for the purpose of collecting their eggs, or killing for their meat and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes (which includes chickens, quails and turkeys) and the family Anatidae (in order Anseriformes),, fish, shellfish, fowl Fowl is a word for birds in general but usually refers to birds belonging to one of two biological orders, namely the gamefowl or landfowl and the waterfowl (Anseriformes). Studies of anatomical and molecular similarities suggest these two groups are close evolutionary relatives; together, they form the fowl clade which is scientifically known as, and eggs; up to 4 ounces (113 g) of soft or semi-soft cheese Cheese consists of proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. It is produced by coagulation of the milk protein casein. Typically, the milk is acidified and addition of the enzyme rennet causes coagulation. The solids are separated and pressed into final form. Some cheeses have molds on the rind or throughout such as cheddar cheese; salad vegetables; other low carbohydrate vegetables; and butter, olive oil and vegetable oils. Drinking eight glasses of water per day is a requirement during this phase. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed during this phase.[19] Caffeine Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is a psychoactive stimulant drug. Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819. He coined the term kaffein, a chemical compound in coffee , which in English became caffeine (and changed to Koffein in German) is allowed in moderation so long as it does not cause cravings or low blood sugar. If a caffeine addiction is evident, it is best to not allow it until later phases of the diet.[19] A daily multivitamin with minerals, except iron, is also recommended. A normal amount of food, on Induction, is around 20 grams of sugar (or net carb), at least 100 grams of fat.

The Induction Phase is usually when many see the most significant weight loss — reports of losses of 5 to 10 pounds per week are not uncommon when Induction is combined with daily exercise. Many Atkins followers make use of Ketostix, small chemically reactive strips used by diabetics Diabetes mellitus —often simply referred to as diabetes—is a condition in which a person has a high blood sugar (glucose) level, either because the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or because body cells don't properly respond to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas which enables body cells to absorb. These let the dieter monitor when they enter the ketosis, or fat burning, phase, but are not always accurate for non-diabetic users. Other indicators of ketosis In biology, ketosis is a state of the organism characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood, by the process of ketogenesis. Ketone bodies are formed when the liver glycogen stores are depleted. The ketone bodies acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate are used for energy include a metallic taste in the mouth, or bad breath.

Ongoing weight loss

The Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) phase of Atkins consists of an increase in carbohydrate intake, but remaining at levels where weight loss occurs. The target daily carbohydrate intake increases each week by 5 net grams. A goal in OWL is to find the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing" and to learn in a controlled manner how food groups in increasing glycemic levels and foods within that group affect your craving control. The OWL phase lasts until weight is within 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of the target weight.

During the first week, one should add more of the induction acceptable vegetables to one's daily products. For example, 6-8 stalks of asparagus, salad, one cup of cauliflower or one half of avocado. The next week, one should follow the carbohydrate ladder that Dr Atkins created for this phase and add fresh dairy. The ladder has 9 rungs and should be added in order given. One can skip a rung if one does not intend to include that food group in one's permanent way of eating, such as the alcohol rung.

The rungs are as follows:

Pre-maintenance

Daily net carbohydrates intake is increased again this time by 10 grams each week from the latter groupings, and the key goal in this phase is to find the "Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance", this is the maximum number of carbohydrates you can eat each day without gaining weight. This may well be above the level of carbohydrates inducing ketosis In biology, ketosis is a state of the organism characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood, by the process of ketogenesis. Ketone bodies are formed when the liver glycogen stores are depleted. The ketone bodies acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate are used for energy on a testing stick. As a result, it is not necessary to maintain a positive ketosis test long term.

Lifetime maintenance

This phase is intended to carry on the habits acquired in the previous phases, and avoid the common end-of-diet mindset that can return people to their previous habits and previous weight. Whole, unprocessed food choices are emphasized, with the option to drop back to an earlier phase if you begin to gain weight.

Popularity

The Atkins Nutritional Approach gained widespread popularity in 2003 and 2004. At the height of its popularity one in eleven North-American adults were on the diet.[20] This large following was blamed for large declines in the sales of carbohydrate-heavy foods like pasta and rice (sales were down 8.2 and 4.6 percent, respectively, in 2003[21]). The diet's success was even blamed for a decline in Krispy Kreme sales . Trying to capitalize on the "low-carb craze," many companies released special product lines that were low in carbohydrates. Coca-Cola released C2 and Pepsi-Cola created Pepsi Edge, which was scheduled to be discontinued later in 2005. Unlike the sugar-free soft drinks Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi, which had been available for decades, these new drinks used a blend of sugar and artificial sweeteners to offset the flavour of artificial sweetener. These "half-and-half" drinks declined in popularity as soft drink makers learned to use newer sweeteners to mask the flavour of aspartame (or completely replace it) in reformulated diet drinks such as Coca-Cola Zero and Pepsi ONE.

Low-carbohydrate diets and the societal changes they have caused have been a subject of interest in the news and popular media. For example, on 25 April 2004, Canada's Food Network aired a one-hour television documentary entitled The Low Carb Revolution.

In 2003, Atkins died from a fatal head injury sustained in a fall on ice.[22] His death came after a battle with a heart condition, cardiomyopathy, reportedly caused by a viral infection, which had caused noticeable weight fluctuation in his final years. This combination of circumstances led to rumors and allegations that Atkins had died from complications arising from his namesake nutritional plan; however, contemporary accounts from his physicians did not substantiate these claims.[23][24][25][26] The reputation of the nutritional plan and the low-carbohydrate concept in general suffered[citation needed].

On July 31, 2005, the Atkins Nutritional company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the percentage of adults on the diet declined to two percent and sales of Atkins brand product fell steeply in the second half of 2004. The company continues to operate and the diet plan remains popular, although it has never regained its former popularity.

Not long on the heels of the diet's popularity, Arrested Development released an episode called Let 'Em Eat Cake using several characters' taking of the diet as a sub-story and running joke.

Scientific studies

Main article: Medical research related to low-carbohydrate diets

Because of the substantial controversy regarding the Atkins Diet and even disagreements in interpreting the results of specific studies it is difficult to objectively summarize the research in a way that reflects scientific consensus.[27][28] Although there has been some research done throughout the twentieth century,[29][30] most directly relevant scientific studies, both those that directly analyze the Atkins Diet and those that analyze similar diets, have occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s and, as such, are relatively new. Researchers and other experts have published articles and studies that run the gamut from promoting the safety and efficacy of the diet[31][32] to questioning its long-term validity[33][34] to outright condemning it as dangerous.[35][36] Until recently a significant criticism of the Atkins Diet was that there were no studies that evaluated the effects of Atkins beyond a few months. However, studies are emerging which evaluate low-carbohydrate diets over much longer periods, controlled studies as long as two years and survey studies as long as two decades.[31][37][38][39]

In addition to research on the efficacy of Atkins and other low-carbohydrate diets, some research has directly addressed other areas of health affected by low-carbohydrate diets. For example, contrary to popular belief that low-carbohydrate diets damage the heart, one study found that women eating low-carbohydrate, high-fat/protein diets had the same or slightly less risk of coronary heart disease, compared to women eating high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets.[40] Other studies have found possible benefits to individuals with diabetes,[41] cancer,[42][43] and epilepsy.[44][45] Nevertheless some studies demonstrate potentially harmful effects of certain types of low-carbohydrate diets including various metabolic and emotional side-effects.[46]

In 2009 a multi-center prospective randomized trial of 811 overweight adults compared four diets emphasizing varying ratios of fat, protein and carbohydrate.[47] All diets were designed to create a 750 kcal deficit. Participants who completed the study lost an average of 4 kg regardless of diet composition. Most of the weight loss occurred in the first six months with some regain by 2 years. Blood pressure changes and waist circumference were also similar between groups, though the low fat diet yielded greater reduction in LDL ("bad cholesterol"). It should be noted that the lowest carbohydrate composition included in this study was 25%, which is significantly above the recommended carbohydrate level advocated by the Atkins Nutritional Approach.

Controversies

An analysis conducted by Forbes magazine found that the sample menu from the Atkins Nutritional Approach is one of the top five in the expense category of ten plans Forbes analyzed. This was due to the inclusion of recipes with some high cost ingredients such as lobster tails which were put in the book to demonstrate the variety of foods which could be consumed on the diet. The analysis showed the median average of the ten diets was approximately 50% higher, and Atkins 80% higher, than the American national average. The Atkins diet was less expensive than the Jenny Craig diet and more expensive than Weight Watchers.[48]

Low-carbohydrate diets have been the subject of heated debate in medical circles for three decades. They are still controversial and only recently has any serious research supported some aspects of Atkins' claims, especially for short-term weight-loss (6 months or less). In a comparison study by Dansinger and colleagues (2005), the goal was to compare popular diets like Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone for the amount of weight lost and a heart disease risk reduction. In the study there were 247 individuals and it lasted for 1 year. All the subjects were overweight at baseline, and had an increased risk for cardiac diseases. One of the diets was assigned to each person.[49] The Atkins diet group ate 20g of CHO a day, with an increase to 50g a day gradually. The Zone group ate a 40-30-30 % diet of carbohydrates, fats and proteins respectively. The Weight Watchers group was to keep the “points” of their food in a determined range, based on their weight. The Ornish group ate a vegetarian diet with 10% of calories coming from fats. The weight, waist size, blood pressure, and a blood sample were taken, at the beginning, after 2 months, 6 months and 12 months. All four diets resulted in weight loss with no significant difference between the diets.[49]

But many in the scientific community also raise serious concerns:

Opponents of the diet also state that the initial weight loss upon starting the diet is a phenomenon common with most diets, and is due to reduction in stored glycogen and related water in muscles, not fat loss. They say that no evidence has surfaced that any diet will cause weight loss unless it reduces food energy (calories) below the maintenance level and that weight loss from the Atkins diet may be the result of less food energy being consumed by the dieter, rather than the lack of carbohydrates.[53] They further point out that weight loss on fad diets, which typically restrict or prohibit certain foods, is often because the dieter has fewer food choices available.

Misconceptions about the diet

Many people believe that the Atkins Diet promotes eating unlimited amounts of fatty meats and cheeses.[54][55] This is a key point of clarification that Atkins addressed in the more recent revisions of his book. Although the Atkins Diet does not impose caloric restriction, or definite limits on proteins, Atkins points out in his book that this plan is "not a license to gorge." The director of research and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Collette Heimowitz, has said, "The media and opponents of Atkins often sensationalise and simplify the diet as the all-the-steak-you-can-eat diet. This has never been true."[9]

Another common misconception arises from confusion between the Induction Phase and rest of the diet.[55] The first two weeks of the Atkins Diet are strict, with only 20g of carbohydrates permitted per day. Atkins states that a dieter can safely stay at the Induction Phase for several months if the person has a lot of weight to lose.[56] Induction, however, is merely a stage to get the body used to fat, and cure cravings for unacceptable foods. Gradually, carbohydrate levels are raised to slow weight loss and add more acceptable foods (berries, more dairy, nuts, etc.), though carbs are still significantly below USDA norms. Once the weight-loss goal is reached, carbohydrate levels are raised again to a state of equilibrium where no weight is lost or gained, which may or may not be below USDA norms, depending on the individual's metabolism, age, and their exercise level.

Atkins Nutritionals

Main article: Atkins Nutritionals

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. (ANI) was founded in 1989 by Atkins to promote the diet and sell Atkins-branded products. Following his death, waning popularity of the diet and a reduction in demand for Atkins products, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 31, 2005 citing losses of $340 million.[57] The company emerged from bankruptcy on January 10, 2006, introducing "a new business strategy that focuses on providing great-tasting portable foods with a unique nutrition advantage to healthy, active men and women."[58] Although the marketing focus has changed, the products are still low-carb. It is also stated on the packages the stage of the Atkins Nutritional Approach where they may be used.

Books

See also

References

  1. ^ "Low-Carb Losing Steam (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. 2004-05-18. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34625-2004May17.html. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  2. ^ Carbohydrate Counting.
  3. ^ a b Atkins, Robert (2003-09-25). Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition. .Evans. ISBN 978-1590770023.
  4. ^ The Lancet, Volume 364, Issue 9437, Pages 897–899, 4 September 2004
  5. ^ Sugar Alcohols - Reduced Calorie Sweeteners.
  6. ^ Kaye Foster-Powell, Susanna H. A. Holt, and Janette C. Brand-Miller. July 2002. International Table of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values: 2002. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76(1):5-56
  7. ^ D. L. Curry (1989). "Effects of Mannose and Fructose on the Synthesis and Secretion of Insulin". Pancreas 4 (1): 2–9. doi:10.1097/00006676-198902000-00002. PMID 2654926.
  8. ^ Y. Sato, T. Ito, N. Udaka, et al. (December 1996). "Immunohistochemical Localization of Facilitated-Diffusion Glucose Transporters in Rat Pancreatic Islets". Tissue Cell 28 (6): 637–643. doi:10.1016/S0040-8166(96)80067-X. PMID 9004533.
  9. ^ a b BBC (January 19, 2004) Atkins diet boss: 'Eat less fat'. BBC News. Retrieved on September 12, 2007.
  10. ^ Atkins Diabetes Revolution Robert C. Atkins
  11. ^ a b c d Pittier A, Corrigan F, (2001). "The ketogenic diet: healthy or harmful? a review in light of its renewed popularity". Trinity Student Medical Journal 2 (5): 39–41.
  12. ^ Researchers chew the fat on merits of the Atkins diet USA Today
  13. ^ Study: Atkins Diet May Raise Risk of Heart Disease Fox News
  14. ^ Harper A; Astrup, A (2004). "Can we advise our obese patients to follow the Atkins diet?". Obesity Reviews 5 (2): 93–94. doi:10.1111/j.1467789X.2004.00137.x (inactive 2010-01-05). PMID 15086862.
  15. ^ Barnett TD, Barnard NDB, Radak TLR (2009). "Development of symptomatic cardiovascular disease after self-reported adherence to the Atkins diet". Journal of the American Dietetic Association 109 (7): 1263–1265. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2009.04.003. PMID 19559147.
  16. ^ Beisswenger BGK, Delucia EM, Lapoint N, Stanford RJ, Beisswenger PJ (2005). "Keotsis leads to increased methylglyoxal production on the Atkins diet". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1043: 201–210. doi:10.1196/annals.1333.025. PMID 16037240.
  17. ^ Talukdar D, Ray S, Ray M, Das S (2008). "A brief critical overview of the biological effects of methylglyoxal and further evaluation of a methylglyoxal-based anticancer formulation in treating cancer patients.". Drug Metabolism and Drug Interactions 23: 175-210. PMID 18533369.
  18. ^ a b Ornish D (2004). "Was Dr. Atkins right?". Journal of the American Dietetic Association 104 (4): 537–542. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2004.02.006. PMID 15054336.
  19. ^ a b Atkins.com. Acceptable Foods. Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Retrieved on September 12, 2007.
  20. ^
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ Statements on Atkins' death, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2004
  23. ^ Atkins diet author home after cardiac arrest, CNN, 25 April 2002
  24. ^ Weight-loss doctor dies at 72 from head injuries, USA Today, 18 April 2003
  25. ^ Dolson, Laura: How Did Atkins Die?: The Truth About Atkins' Death, About.com: Low Carb Diets, 2 October 2007
  26. ^ After a life of dieting, Dr Atkins died at 18st 6lb Times Online
  27. ^ Taubes, Gary: What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?, New York Times, Sunday, July 7, 2002
  28. ^ Warner, Jennifer: Jury Still Out on Low-Carbohydrate Diets, MedicalNet.com, April 8, 2003
  29. ^ Lieb, Clarence W. (1926). The Effects of an Exclusive Long-Continued Meat Diet. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md66.htm.
  30. ^ Kekwick, A., Pawan, G.L.S. (1956). "Calorie Intake in Relation to Body-Weight Changes in the Obese". Lancet 271 (6935): 155–161. PMID 13347103.
  31. ^ a b Iris Shai, R.D., Ph.D. (July 2008). "Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet.". New England Journal of Medicine 359:229-241 (3): 229–41. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0708681. PMID 18635428. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/359/3/229.
  32. ^ Linda Stern, MD; Nayyar Iqbal, MD; Prakash Seshadri, MD; Kathryn L. Chicano, CRNP; Denise A. Daily, RD; Joyce McGrory, CRNP; Monica Williams, BS; Edward J. Gracely, PhD; and Frederick F. Samaha, MD (2004). "The Effects of Low-Carbohydrate versus Conventional Weight Loss Diets in Severely Obese Adults: One-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial". Annals of Internal Medicine 140 (10): 778–785. PMID 15148064. http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/10/778?etoc.
  33. ^ Drs Arne Astrup, Thomas Meinert Larsen, Angela Harper (2004). "Atkins and other low-carbohydrate diets: hoax or an effective tool for weight loss?". Lancet 364(2004):589. http://www.theheart.org/article/157035.do.
  34. ^ Carol S Johnston, Sherrie L Tjonn, Pamela D Swan, Andrea White, Heather Hutchins and Barry Sears (May 2006). "Ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets have no metabolic advantage over nonketogenic low-carbohydrate diets". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 83 (5): 1055. PMID 16685046. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/5/1055.
  35. ^ C. Tissa Kappagoda, MBBS, PhD, FACC*,*, Dianne A. Hyson, RD, MS, PhD{dagger} and Ezra A. Amsterdam, MD, FACC (2004). "Low-carbohydrate–high-protein diets: Is there a place for them in clinical cardiology? .". Journal of the American Medical Association 43: 725–730. http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/5/725?ijkey=403c54c990542393cf53bf14242831bd3400e289&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha.
  36. ^ Charlotte E. Grayson, M.D., Loss: High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diets, Web MD, retrieved 17 July 2008
  37. ^ Thomas L. Halton, Sc. D., Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr. P.H., Simin Liu, M.D., Sc. D., JoAnn E. Manson, M.D., Dr. P.H., Christine M. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., Kathryn Rexrode, M.D., and Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph. D. (2006). "Low-Carbohydrate-Diet Score and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women". New England Journal of Medicine 355:1991-2002 (19): 1991. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa055317. PMID 17093250. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/355/19/1991.
  38. ^ Christopher D. Gardner, PhD (March 2007). "Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and Learn Diets for Change in Weight and Related Risk Factors Among Overweight Premenopausal Women.". Journal of the American Medical Association 297 (9): 969. doi:10.1001/jama.297.9.969. PMID 17341711. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/9/969.
  39. ^ Jørgen Vesti Nielsen and Eva Joensson (June 2006). "Low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes. Stable improvement of bodyweight and glycemic control during 22 months follow-up". Nutrition and Metabolism 3:22: 22. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-3-22. http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/3/1/22.
  40. ^ Thomas L. Halton, Sc. D., Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr. P.H., Simin Liu, M.D., Sc. D., JoAnn E. Manson, M.D., Dr. P.H., Christine M. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., Kathryn Rexrode, M.D., and Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph. D. (2006). "Low-carbohydrate diet score and the risk of coronary heart disease in women". New England Journal of Medicine 355:1991-2002 (19): 1991–2002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa055317. PMID 17093250.
  41. ^ Yancy, W.S.; Foy M, Chalecki AM, Vernon MC, Westman EC. (2005). "A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet to treat type 2 diabetes". Nutrition & Metabolism 1 (2): 34. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-2-34. PMID 16318637. PMC 1325029. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1325029.
  42. ^ Bravi, F.; Bosetti C, Scotti L, Talamini R, Montella M, Ramazzotti V, Negri E, Franceschi S, & La Vecchia C (2007). "Food groups and renal cell carcinoma: A case-control study from Italy". International Journal of Cancer 120 (3): 681–5. doi:10.1002/ijc.22225. PMID 17058282.
  43. ^ Sun Ha Jee, PhD, MHS; Heechoul Ohrr, MD, PhD; Jae Woong Sull, PhD, MHS; Ji Eun Yun, MPH; Min Ji, MPH; Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS: Fasting Serum Glucose Level and Cancer Risk in Korean Men and Women, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 293 No. 2, Jan. 12, 2005.
  44. ^ Johns Hopkins Epilepsy Center. "The Ketogenic Diet"
  45. ^ Freeman, John M.; Kossoff, Eric H.; Hartman, Adam L.: The Ketogenic Diet: One Decade Later, Pediatrics, Vol. 119 No. 3 March 2007, pp. 535-543
  46. ^ Carol S Johnston, Sherrie L Tjonn, Pamela D Swan, Andrea White, Heather Hutchins and Barry Sears (May 2006). "Ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets have no metabolic advantage over nonketogenic low-carbohydrate diets". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 83 (5): 1055–61. PMID 16685046. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/5/1055.
  47. ^ Sacks, F.; Bray G, Carey V, Williamson D (2009). [NEJM.org "Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates."]. New England Journal of Medicine 360 (9): 859–73. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0804748. PMID 19246357. PMC 2763382. NEJM.org.
  48. ^ Costly Calories Forbes.com
  49. ^ a b Dansigner M, Gleason JA, Griffith JL, Selker HP, Schaefer EJ (2005). "Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone diets for weight loss and heart disease risk reduction: a randomized trial". Journal of the American Medical Association 293 (1): 43–53. doi:10.1001/jama.293.1.43. PMID 15632335.
  50. ^ "What Is the Atkins Diet? Read the Expert Review". www.webmd.com. http://www.webmd.com/diet/atkins-diet-what-it-is. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  51. ^ msnbc.msn.com (November 8, 2006), Carbs may be worse for heart than fatty foods: Long-term study eases concerns about risk of Atkins, other low-carb diets.
  52. ^ Freedman MR, King J, and Kennedy E (2001), Popular Diets: a Scientific Review Obesity Research, Volume 9, Supplement 1, Pages 5S-17S. Retrieved on September 12, 2007.
  53. ^ BBC (January 21, 2004), Uncovering the Atkins diet secret. BBC News. Retrieved on September 12, 2007.
  54. ^ Atkins Position on Saturated Fat Atkins.com
  55. ^ a b Truths and Myths Atkins.com
  56. ^ Atkins, Robert (2003-09-25). Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition. .Evans. pp. 119–120. ISBN 978-1590770023.
  57. ^ Atkins Nutritionals files for bankruptcy - AP 1 August 2005.
  58. ^ Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Emerges from Bankruptcy - Company press release

External links

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Atkins Diet Cooking

Categories: Brand name diet products | Obesity | Diets | Low-carb diets | American inventions

 

The above information uses material from Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Some facts may not have been fully verified for accuracy. [Disclaimers]
This page was last archived by our server on Thu Jul 22 04:53:29 2010. [ refresh local cache ]
Displaying this page or its contents does not use any Wikimedia Foundation's resources.
The owners of this site proudly support the Wikimedia Foundation.

[Hide]▼
'Atkins Diet' News
How the Sonoma Diet works - Helium
helium.com
How the Sonoma Diet works - Helium
Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:50:22 GMT+00:00
works Helium Like some other popular diet plans, including Atkins and Zone, the Sonoma Diet consists of three distinct stages, known as 'waves'. ...
Google News Search: Atkins Diet,
Sat Jul 31 00:30:59 2010
'Atkins Diet' Images
ATKINS DIET STUDY 002 jpg
salernocenter.com
ATKINS DIET STUDY 002 jpg
763px x 700px | 184.60kB

[source page]

p 1

Yahoo Images Search: Atkins Diet,
Fri Jul 16 22:34:20 2010
'Atkins Diet' Blogs
The Atkins Diet Overcoming Stalls In Your Progress | WomansIndex.net
womansindex.net
The Atkins Diet Overcoming Stalls In Your Progress | WomansIndex.net

Lauren

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:43:01 GM

It is common to experience plateaus and stalls during . Atkins. ' diets. It occurs time and again, but, it is important to check whether you have.

Google Blogs Search: Atkins Diet,
Fri Jul 16 22:34:20 2010
'Atkins Diet' Answers
What are your opinions on the Atkins diet?
Q. I am currently studying the Atkins diet and it would help me if you could share with me your opinions both on the diet and the controversy surrounding it. Thanks for helping me with the study.
Asked by Charli - Tue Jul 31 05:50:19 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. None as not tried. Eat only when hungry and not more than thrice a day. Nothing other than water in between. Include plenty of uncooked vegetables and fruits in each meal, preferably 50%. Chew each morsel at least 32 times to activate ur body to generate signals of hunger/fullness. Obey these signals. Take light exercises and brisk walks regularly preferably twice a day. U will achieve what u have not even dreamt and that too in a reasonable time. Do not be in a hurry.
Answered by SubJ - Tue Jul 31 06:28:21 2007

Yahoo Answers Search: Atkins Diet,
Fri Jul 16 22:34:20 2010
[Hide]▲