Followed by millions of women and men around the world, the Atkins diet back in fashion today, as evidenced by a new book published by Plon in 2005, “Atkins for Life” and decorated with recipes that n were not present in the original edition. He brings with him all the schemes known as “Low Carb” is to say no or low carbohydrates (sugars), very popular now.

Principle of the Atkins diet

In the light of scientific knowledge of his time, Dr. Atkins has developed a theory: it removes the carbohydrates in the diet on the pretext that they are secreting insulin, a hormone managing the excess sugar in the blood and being made responsible for the storage of fat. Once the carbs apart, we can theoretically ingest lipids and proteins and will see to volatilize the excess pounds.

The Atkins diet in practice

Since the fat ingested at will not be, according to the author, not treated in the absence of dietary carbohydrate, it is the alcohol and remove all sources of carbohydrates (pasta, sweets, breads, fruits, most vegetables, rice, starches, cereals, yogurts, cheeses …), white to draw the missing carbohydrate energy in fat reserves. Only 50 to 80 g of vegetables (as lettuce, spinach, cucumber) are allowed on the day.

We can then take control of protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheeses, meats …) and lipid (cream, butter, oils …), short, many popular foods … but without bread or carbohydrate foods. You can eat as many calories as you want, as long as we respect these prohibitions.

Effectiveness of Atkins diet

The method promises to lead to significant weight loss: 15 to 30 kg while consuming 2 000 to 3 000 kcal per day! Examples of weight loss were prodigious indeed been reported, at least in the short term, because then the yo-yo effect is equally dramatic. Health problems are also far from being rare due to a nutritional balance disastrous.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Atkins diet

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of this method?

Advantages: This system is simple to understand. It is unnecessary to monitor and restrict the amount of food allowed. Weight loss is rapid and coupled to a certain euphoria (by excess protein in the meal) and a decrease in appetite (for the secretion of ketones by the body in reaction to the plan).

Disadvantages: This diet is sickening and very quickly if you lose weight, it is only by fatigue. Moreover, the initial weight loss is often already at a loss in water and not fat. It is indeed related to the fact that the body draws from its own reserves of sugars (known as glycogen) because we did not bring him in while bodies are dependent (liver, brain, kidney …) . Once these reserves depleted, the body uses the fat of course, but his muscles to provide glucose and therefore energy needed for the proper functioning of these organs. He gets tired and then produces substances called ketones. And when the rate of ketone bodies is too high in the blood, resulting in a state of fatigue, as well as inhibition of appetite *. Result: though they are allowed to eat as they like, the proponents of this scheme actually absorb fewer calories because they have less and less hungry. Similarly, this condition called ketoacidosis, resulting in very unpleasant breath and durable!

As for physical health, the diet is worrisome, because it fails in vitamins and micro nutrients protective for lack of fruit and vegetables (vitamin C, polyphenols …), it is low in fiber, which can cause significant constipation and too rich in protein foods, with the potential to dangerously raise the blood levels and urinary uric acid (may cause gout or bladder stones, especially when inadequate fluid intake). Finally, this plan is “super fat”, it is not uncommon for disorders of the gallbladder, and if it is true that a massive release of fatty acids is observed, this phenomenon is generally too sharp generator of lipid metabolic disorders, such as blood cholesterol in excess, which promotes heart disease. Thus, this scheme has been called by scientists “for myocardial passport”!

In conclusion, although the method seems pleasant to big appetites “carnivores” rather attracted by the salty taste, this scheme is not recommended, especially when high physical activity.

The diet soup

The Principle: The basis of this scheme is a soup called “burn fat” to eat the main meals. It is in fact an ordinary soup of vegetables, which should not be mixed or thrown (as it is more satisfying). The rest of the diet is typically composed of foods rich in protein and very thin (thin white cheese or yogurt, fish, lean meat) and fruits (in limited quantities). Additional capsules or tea (green tea, pineapple, cherry tail) are supposed to improve weight loss and elimination of fats. A multivitamin is also scheduled to fight against possible deficiencies. The scheme itself lasts 7 days, followed by a stabilization program a week also.

Critique: This plan may be seduced by the side organized and rigorous (menus are charged for each meal). But it is hardly different from a balanced hypocaloric diet and severe (less than 1000 kcal per day during the first week, barely 1200 kcal during the stabilization period). It may be appropriate for women with low physical activity, but is too restrictive for men and for anyone who spends a lot. Note that the virtues attributed to the miracle soup are very overstated. Simply put, it’s a clever way to eat vegetables, and plenty of water.

The soup diet allows course to lose weight. But as it all very low calorie diet, weight regain is inevitable, even after completing the stabilization phase.

Principle: This scheme aims to reduce calorie intake while preventing muscle wasting. In this treatment, food intake is almost exclusively protein (50 to 100 g of protein per day, or 200 and 400 kilo calories).

The system consists of powder or diet drinks which contain about 80% protein, very low in fat and carbohydrates. They are accompanied by water at will and sometimes vitamin supplements.

Critique: Although very low-calorie diet that is tolerable in the beginning because the proteins have an anorectic effect. But it is incompatible with intense physical activity. Often these products are not balanced must be accompanied by food more “common” such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products (milk, cheese) or bread. According to the products, vitamin and mineral supplements may be necessary.

The lack of fibers of these substitutes sometimes requires complete meals with raw vegetables or salad. Finally it is essential to drink plenty to avoid serious metabolic problems. You have understood, it is better to undertake this type of diet helped a strict medical monitoring.

The ruling regime generally pose problems and must be done gently, often the pounds lost are regained stop the diet.