Is the Aitkins Diet safe?

Question

Does any have serious objections to this diet? Are there any short term or long term side-affects Ishould worry about?

Answer 1

No. Fat is the most abundant source of stored energy in the body, to completely burn fat, a small amount of cabs is needed. When cabs is in short supply, fat cannot be broken down by aerobic metabolism to yield energy. Instead the liver converts them into Ketones. The ketones are used as an energy source and excesses are excreted. However, if ketones production is high, such as when person is consuming a low-carb weight-loss diet, more ketones are produced than can be excreted.
Mild ketosis, such as that which occurs with weight-loss diet, causes headaches, a dry mouth, foul-smelling breath, in some cases, reduction in appetite. High ketone levels can incease the acidity of the blood so much that normal body processes are disrupted. Coma and even death may occur.

Answer 2

It's absolutely safe and far healthier than the Standard American Diet. I intend to follow Atkins for life.

If anyone says you "need" carbs, let them know that there are NO diseases of carbohydrate deficiency. However, not enough fat or protein will cause serious problems.

If you're thinking of it as a "diet" that you will go off when you're "done", you will probably be disappointed in the long term. Like EVERY other diet, if you stop it and return to unhealthy habits you will regain the weight. This is intended to be a lifestyle change. The good news is that the food is delicious and you're not perpetually starving.

Atkins promotes eating whole, natural foods rather than processed ones. He stresses that you should not go hungry, you should eat until satisfied, but not stuffed. It is NOT a license to gorge yourself. He also stresses that exercise is not optional. He says "If you are not exercising, you are not doing Atkins".

Make sure you get plenty of water and eat your veggies.

Answer 3

Absolutely.It was created by a cardiologist and even though you eat alot of fat on this diet there's a very good chance that you'll improve your cholesterol score as well as lose weight.It's important to point out that this diet is very exacting and even slight variations can diminish it's effectiveness.I can't wait for everyone to start screaming that you NEED to eat carbohydrates.Here's some news for all of those people.YOU'RE WRONG.Your body can produce glucose through gluconeogenisis from any of the other two macronutrients.Follow the program.It's great.I use something very similar after a bulking cycle of eating to decrease my body fat though I've always been lean.And I don't think Dr Atkins said anything about the diet having a positive effect on traumatic brain injuries so I wouldn't blame his death on the diet.

Answer 4

I like the South Beach Diet better. The food is so good and you can still eat carbs after the second week IN MODERATION. It reverses the way your body "think"s about food and changes your eating habits for life. Plus I love that South beach and Kraft teamed up to put great products in the grocery store. The frozen lunches and entrees are good for people on the run. Hope this helps, Good Luck.

Answer 5

My husband lost 60 lbs on this diet. It gets the bad carbs out of the diet and eliminates the cravings. We actually still get carbs in all kinds of vegetables. Just not the starchy kind.

Robert Adkins died (if I remember correctly)
After slipping on ice and cracking his head on the street. I think he was 72.

So I am fairly sure he did not die of anything related to his diet.

Answer 6

As a lifestyle, it is not recommended. Even as a short-term fix or helper, it can be really hard on the body. It can really increase your cholesterol and arterial clogging issues due to its free reign with fats and meats. I've heard they've moderated that portion to be more healthy, though. However, the extended period of very low carbohydrate intake is bad for your body. Your body needs carbs to properly function! If left in this situation for too long (over a week), you can go into ketosis. This will result in you not feeling well and can even lead to hair loss and health issues. I would recommend South Beach or the Zone. They are very similar and emphasize balance and healthy nutrition.

Answer 7

This is a safe diet for SHORT term, not long term. Short term you could loose weight fast and it probably has a few health benefits, but long term your organs can get messed up and start failing and there is no continued weight loss for long term. My husbands aunt has been on this for years now and she is relatively young and has been healty, but now has already had trouble with her gallbladder and other organs. Recent studies have shown that it can also result in kidney stones and heart disease. People who do this long term do not get enough carbohydrate to supply the tissues with blood sugar. That is why the organs start to malfunction. Restricting the intake of whole grain bread and cereals, fruit and vegetables does not equal a healthy diet and the absence of these food groups may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Answer 8

The South Beach diet is a much better diet. If you are going to lower your card intake try it.

Answer 9

I personally prefer the South Beach diet. It has really helped me understand the benefits of "the right carbs" and I have lost a lot of weight and I feel great.

Answer 10

it's pretty safe. i actually like the south beach diet better. the first two weeks might be tough but the selection of food and diet is much better than atkins. south beach actually makes you eat healthier than primarily focusing on "all protein"