Can Atkins really work?

[KStraka73]

Atkins really works, but the problem with this diet is its reliance to protein. high protein diet puts the body in into a state of ketosis.

You make that sound like a negative...

Ketosis is a state your body is in when it is breaking down (burning) fat instead of carbohydrates.

Why do some people think ketosis is a bad thing?
There is an assumption that if a body is burning a lot of fat for energy, it must not be getting "enough" glucose. However, there is no indication, from studying people on reduced carbohydrate diets, that this is the case (though there is usually a short period of adjustment -- less than a week, in most cases). Although it's true that our bodies can't break fat down into glucose (though, interestingly, it easily uses glucose to make fat), our bodies can convert some of the protein we eat into glucose. Indeed, this works well for people who don't tolerate a lot of sugar, because this conversion happens slowly so it doesn't spike blood glucose.

A dangerous condition called ketoacidosis can develop in those with type 1 diabetes, and it is sometimes confused with normal ketosis. The body usually avoids this state by producing insulin, but people with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin. Even most people with type 2 diabetes who inject insulin usually produce enough insulin of their own to prevent ketoacidosis.

I remind you... you want your body to burn stored fat... that's what we want to get rid of!

[speeddemon]

You make that sound like a negative...

Ketosis is a state your body is in when it is breaking down (burning) fat instead of carbohydrates.

I remind you... you want your body to burn stored fat... that's what we want to get rid of!

THANK you! I have had a very messed up undrstanding of what ketosis is and whether or not it's something that I want to achieve. I've seen some diets that make it a goal where others talk about it like it's as bad as brain cancer.

I wish there was a breakdown like what you just wrote in the diets I've read about. It would have made things a lot clearer for me from the start. I don't know why there isn't more straight forward information out there that is easy to find. Good thing I've been skulking around this site for the last few months

[KStraka73]

You are very welcome!