1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

| The Atkins diet was created to treat the morbidly obese. Surgery and other medical procedures can be very dangerous when one is extremely overweight. To minimize strain on the cardiovascular system, among other things, it is recommended to be at a healthier weight. The Atkins diet allowed those who were extremely obese to lose large amounts of weight quickly and minimize the risks involved during surgery.

The Atkins diet can also help the morbidly obese lose weight quickly for more general health reasons as well. It is not a healthy long term option however. The diet does not provide adequate nutrition, and after losing large amounts of weight the dieter will need to find a new healthy option to maintain weight loss and provide the nutrients required to stay healthy.

The Atkins diet is not a safe diet for those trying to lose a a few pounds. For the overweight, as opposed to the obese, the Atkins diet can actually be dangerous. The Atkins diet relies on a high intake of protein and removes carbohydrates from the diet. The human body uses protein as building blocks, and carbohydrates are the body's healthy fuel. When carbohydrates are cut from a diet, the body burns fat instead. This sounds fantastic, but when fat is burned in the absence of carbohydrates a byproduct is produced called Ketone bodies. Ketone bodies can provide energy to the body, saving whatever stores of broken down carbohydrates (glucose) for the brain. In excess, however, ketone bodies are toxic. An excess of ketone bodies can cause ketosis and ketoacidosis, and the toxicity levels can damage various organ systems in the body. Because this side effect of removing carbohydrates from the diet will effect those trying to lose less weight more quickly than the obese, as well as the risk outweighing the gains for this same group, it isn't the healthiest option.

Learn more about this author, Cindy Shotts.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is the Atkins Diet really effective??
We want to hear your view. Write now!