This proves Atkins is best diet, say scientists

ฺิิBy John Elliott
From The Sunday Times
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A SCIENTIFIC study into the controversial Atkins diet suggests that it can be one of the most effective ways for women to lose weight.


At the end of 12 months, overweight subjects on the Atkins regime had lost twice as much weight on average as women on three competing diets. Atkins minimises carbohydrates, such as bread and sugar, in favour of meat and other proteins.


However, amid increasing concern that its devotees miss out on vital nutrients, it has recently been supplanted by new regimes such as the GI diet, which consists of foods that release glucose slowly and evenly into the bloodstream.


This week, however, the study will say Atkins produced more weight loss with no signs of undesirable side-effects.


“So many people have been asking questions about diets for years. We think it’s time to give them some answers,” said Christopher Gardner, professor of medicine at Stanford University’s disease prevention research centre in California, who led the study.


“We have an epidemic of obesity that’s still on the rise, and the ideas of our best and brightest people haven’t been able to change that.”


In the study, 311 pre-meno-pausal, overweight women were asked to follow one of four regimes: the Atkins, Zone, Learn or Ornish diet. Each involve a different level of carbohydrate intake. The Atkins diet recommends the lowest level, the Zone diet a little more.


The Learn (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships and Nutrition) diet follows the American government’s recommendations for a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates.


The Ornish diet is very high in carbohydrates and extremely low in fat.


After a year, the 77 women in the Atkins group lost an average 10lb — about twice as much as those on the Learn and Ornish diets. Women on the Zone lost an average of 3.5lb.


Women in the Atkins group also achieved larger reductions in body mass index, triglycerides and blood pressure — all signs of improved health.


Susan Jebb, head of nutrition and health research at the Medical Research Council, said the reason for Atkins’s success was that people found a diet that allowed high intakes of meat and fat easier to follow than other more spartan regimes.


In Britain, the Atkins diet reached its peak popularity around 2003 when a survey indicated that 3m people were on it. It was endorsed by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston. Its popularity has since waned.


Has Atkins worked for you or are other diets better?


Have your say

Too much sugar can be a heart risk

RICHARD BELIVEAU, QMI AGENCY
FIRST POSTED: TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010 2:00:00 EDT AM
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We often associate heart disease with having too much fat in our diets, especially saturated fat and trans fat. What is often overlooked, however, is that eating too much sugar can also contribute to developing these diseases.

One of the most diehard beliefs about food in our society is that all fats, without exception, are bad for the heart. But this myth has no truth to it whatsoever.

Some fats such as saturated fat (from animal sources) and trans fat (found in industrial food products) do increase the risk of heart disease.

On the other hand, polyunsaturated fats (vegetable oils), monounsaturated fats (olive oil, nut oils) and omega-3s (flaxseed, fatty fish) are absolutely necessary for the prevention of these diseases.

In other words, we have to look at the kinds of fats we eat in addition to the quantity.
Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge about the effects of different types of fat has led to a witch-hunt for any food associated with fatty substances, even if it's a healthy kind such as that found in fish or nuts.

In the vast majority of cases, the reduced amounts of fat in our diets have been replaced with an increase in sugar-rich foods, particularly foods with sweetening agents such as sucrose or corn syrup. But these sugars do not, unfortunately, have any role in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Having abnormally-high concentrations of lipids in the blood, a condition known as dyslipidemia, has long been recognized as an important risk factor for developing heart problems. Dyslipidemia is generally characterized by higher levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), as well as a drop in the amount of HDL cholesterol (the good kind).

A recent study by American researchers looked at the impact of consuming large amounts of these sugars. They measured the concentrations of blood fats in 6,113 adult volunteers and studied whether the amount of fat was linked to the dietary intake of added sugar.

They observed that in people who received over 10% of their daily caloric intake from added sugars, the likelihood of showing lower-than-average levels of good cholesterol rose from 50% to 300%, compared to people who consumed less of these sugars (5% of calories). Eating a lot of sugar was also closely linked to a noticeable increase in triglyceride levels, another risk factor in cardiovascular disease.

This research shows that added sugar has a very negative impact on the state of blood fats and could therefore significantly increase the risk of heart disease.

It's important to consider this data because the amount of these sugars in our diets has steadily risen in recent years thanks to an endless range of prepared foods on our shelves, particularly soft drinks and other products made by the junk food industry.

With this in mind, we see that eating low-fat products that are high in sugar is not a good strategy. As is the case with all chronic diseases, a diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat, high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats and where most of the sugar comes from whole grains is still the best way to reduce the risk of premature death associated with heart disease.

- Dr. Richard Beliveau holds the chair in cancer prevention and treatment at the University of Quebec in Montreal.

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Accredit : http://www.torontosun.com/life/healthandfitness/2010/06/07/14295886.html

Success stories : Atkins Diet Experience II

Dianna shows her journey to become "Skinny Minnie" on Atkins


by Dianna79
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I recently reached my weight loss goal of 48 pounds, then lost an additional 2 more, so I have now lost 50 lbs..lost it in a little over 6 months!! I feel amazing, like a new person and my nickname is now "Skinny Minnie" which I LOVE! Hoping to inspire others!!
First pic is at 208 lbs. on left, and 158 lbs. on right-50 lb. difference, then next is before and after face shot... other pics are just after pics, weighing 158..my BMI was in obese category and is now in NORMAL range!! Yay!

Success stories : Atkins Diet Experience I

John Bender from 315 lbs to 185 lbs-see transformation here

by John Bender
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Admittedly, I lost the first 60 pounds on my own and didn't start Atkins until I was 255.

Down to 185-190 now and running 22 mile per week/4 days per week. Working out - feeling great. Still no love life yet though

Enjoy the pics:

1/1/2010 - 315 lbs

7/31/2011 - 186 lbs

How Atkins Diet Help In Losing Weight?

Atkins Diet is a system that enables our body to lose weight in a natural way by inducing a change in metabolism. Our body is capable of burning both fat and carbohydrates to provide the energy required to function properly. Carbohydrate, in the form of glucose, is the first fuel used to provide energy to our body. Dr Atkins suggests that when we reduce our intake of carbohydrates significantly, our body convert from burning carbohydrates to burning fat as fuel. This process is known as lipolysis. The secondary result of this process is ketosis. When fat is burned for fuel, ketones are released through the breath and urine, and their quantities can be measured with ketone strips. This is how we lose weight through Atkins Diet Plan. Dr Atkins also says that ketosis will affect insulin production which will prevent more fat from being formed. Once we enter ketosis, our body begins efficiently using the fat as fuel and our cravings for carbohydrate will subside.

Atkins Diet Plan

Atkins Diet plan is based around four important phases. Each individual phase allows you to knowledgeably select which foods to eat based on your need to achieve weight loss, enjoy good health and prevent disease. Food selections will differ to varying degrees depending upon the phase you are in and your individual metabolism. In phase one (Atkins Diet Induction Phase), carbohydrate consumption is restricted to 20 grams per day. Most carbohydrate can be obtained from salad and other non-starchy vegetables. In Atkins Diet phase two (Ongoing Weight Loss) you add carbohydrate, in the form of nutrient-dense and fibre-rich foods, by increasing to 25 grams daily the first week, 30 grams daily the next week and so on until your weight loss stops. Then subtract 5 grams of carbohydrate from your daily intake so that you continue sustained, moderate weight loss. Atkins Diet Phase three's (Pre-Maintenance) objective is to make the transition from weight loss to weight maintenance by increasing the daily carbohydrate intake in 10-gram increments each week so long as very gradual weight loss is maintained. And the Atkins Diet final phase (Lifetime Maintenance) is the foundation for a lifetime of better health. In this phase you can select from a wide variety of foods while controlling carbohydrate intake to ensure weight maintenance and a sense of well-being.

History of Atkins Diet

Since its first debut in 1972, millions of people have won their battle with obesity and heart disease through Dr Atkins Diet Plan. According to Dr Atkins the diet is also good for managing many health disorders including headaches, blood sugar disorders, slow or sluggish metabolism, food intolerance's, allergies, and many other health problems. Although the main reason why people turn to Atkins Diet is because it provides fast weight loss, many with high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome had reported that they feel more energetic than they have had in years after one week on Atkins Diet.

While medical experts were recommending low fat, high carbohydrate diets, Dr Atkins suggested people who wanted to lose weight should do the exact opposite. The latest Atkins Diet concept "The New Atkins for a New You" has been revamped to allows dieters to eat more vegetables than the original version. But the diet's original ideal that carbohydrates are the one that makes us fat remain unchanged. Dr Atkins diet philosophy was that up to two thirds of calories could come from fat - more than double the usual recommendation - and people should eat meats and cheeses rather than breads, pastas, and even fruits and vegetables. Instead of carbohydrate and sugar, Atkins Diet Plan highly recommends plenty of fat and protein. The diet specifically recommends animal proteins; therefore vegetarians and vegans will have a hard time following the diet.

Atkins Diet Basics

The Atkins diet is not a new phenomenon. The diet first appeared in the late 1970s and has grown popularity in recent years in response to the low-fat diet craze. As dieters had trouble with low-fat plans, they searched for a new solution and Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution book found a new audience.

A lot of people have jumped on the Atkins bandwagon and there has been a lot of hype as a result. But what are the basic principles of the Atkins diet?

The Atkins diet is based on a theory of why we get fat. According to Dr. Atkins, the over-consumption of carbohydrates and simple sugars leads to weight gain. The way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat have more to do with your waistline than the amount of fat or calories that you consume. In his book, Atkins outlines a phenomenon called “insulin resistance.” He theorizes that many overweight people have cells that do not work correctly. Which also explains why there are currently a lot of low carb diets are appearing.

When you eat excess carbohydrates and sugar, your body notices that sugar levels are elevated. Insulin is released from the pancreas in order to store sugar as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells for extra energy later on. However, your body can only store so much glycogen at once. As soon as your body reaches its limit for glycogen storage, the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat. This happens to everyone who eats too many carbohydrates.

However, insulin resistant individuals have an even harder time of using and storing excess carbohydrates. The more insulin that your body is exposed to, the more resistant it becomes. Overtime, the pancreas releases more insulin and cells become insulin resistant. The cells are trying to protect themselves from the toxic effects of high insulin. They create less glycogen and more fat.

As a result, insulin resistant individuals gain extra weight. The carbohydrates get converted into fat instead of energy. Other side effects include fatigue, brain “fog” (the inability to focus, poor memory, loss of creativity), low blood sugar (which can leads to hypoglycemia), intestinal bloating, sleepiness, depression and increased blood sugar. There is much more than weight at stake when you are insulin resistant.

The remedy for people who are insulin resistant is a diet restricted in carbohydrates. The crux of the Atkins diet is a limitation of carbohydrates in all of its forms. The foods restricted on the Atkins plan include simple sugars (like cookies, sodas and sweets) and complex carbohydrates (like bread, rice and grains). Even carbohydrates that are considered healthy, such as oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread, are restricted on the program.

The diet has you restrict your carbohydrate intake to less than 40 grams a day. This will put your body in a state of ketosis. While in ketosis, your body will burn fat as fuel. According to Dr. Atkins’ research, the ketosis state will also affect insulin production and it will prevent more fat from being formed. Your body will begin using your stored fat as an efficient form of fuel, and you’ll lose weight.
Another benefit of the Atkins plan is that ketosis will end your cravings for carbohydrates. If you’ve been living on a carb-heavy diet, you may have found that you simply cannot get enough carbohydrates. With carbohydrate restriction and ketosis comes a reduction in carbohydrate cravings. People who have been on the Atkins diet for some time report that they do not crave carbohydrates as they once did.

Although the initial phases of the Atkins diet are rather strict, the program teaches you to restore balance to your diet in the long run. People who use the diet slowly reintroduce minimal amounts of carbohydrate into their eating until they find a comfortable balance between their health and carbohydrate use.

The basic principles of the Atkins diet have been adapted to many other low-carb diet plans. However, Atkins popularity still remains strong as one of the most effective low-carbohydrate solutions for those who are insulin resistant. There is a lot of critisism to the diet principles of Atkins, tomorrow I will go more indept and tell my opinion about some of those critics.

Change your Eat Habits and Change your Life!

Accredit : Jorgen

What is Atkins Diet?

The Atkins Diet is an amazing weight loss diet plan that helps you lose weight without counting calories. You can lose as much as 10 to 30 pounds in the first month on atkins diet meal plan of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, good carbs and good fats.

The Atkins Diet Plan weight loss program works on the principle of severely restricting carbohydrates intake in your daily atkins diet meal plan. As your food cravings melt away with the atkins diet meal plan, you will feel energize both mentally and physically.

Atkins Diet Revolution and Atkins Diet meal plan

The Atkins Diet was first presented in 1972 by Dr Robert C. Atkins, who also authored a number of books to promote the Atkins Diet controlled low carb plan nutrition approach and complementary medical techniques.

Dr Atkins, a cardiologist and a medical graduate of the Cornell University Medical School, warned of the dangers of increase sugar and carbohydrates in our daily diet.

He stressed the importance of a proper low carb atkins diet meal plan with nutritional supplements to help prevent and combat heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Dr Atkins maintained that the natural healing arts were a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceutical drugs and surgery for many debilitating illnesses. As a pioneer in complementary medicine, Dr Atkins helped to bring credibility to its practice. For more than thirty years, Dr Atkins offered patients "the best of both worlds”, integrating the latest conventional medical techniques with alternative therapies.

Atkins Diet Plan Weight Loss Program

Atkins Diet Plan weight loss program for changing metabolism is one of the most palatable weight loss diet plan ever devised. It allows followers of the Atkins diet plan to lose weight with a minimum of hunger pain and keep excess weight off with ease.

The weight loss occurs as the body automatically adjust to a new way of burning fat. Atkins Diet - four phase Atkins Plan ensures healthy weight loss, slimness and good health for life.

Atkins Diet Plan is based on scientifically supported Atkins Diet controlled low carb plan principles that help people re-energize their life by re-balancing their nutrition, losing weight and keeping it off.

The Atkins Diet Plan activates body metabolism, so that you burn fat for energy and reduce the risk factors associated with certain major health problems, including chronic fatigue, diabetes and high blood pressure.

With Atkins Diet Plan weight loss program, you can increase your energy level, improve your overall health and well being and apply the knowledge & tools you need to truly achieve and sustain permanent weight loss.