Atkins Diet Plan And The Theory Of Insulin Resistance

By Author: Thomas Lindblom
Total Articles: 200
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The Atkins diet online, which has been around since the 1970s, is very popular with people all over the world. Let's take a took at the basic principles of this diet and why it is so successful.
Dr. Atkins' theory is that weight gain is caused because of over consumption of simple sugars and carbohydrates. The way that carbohydrates are processed in the body is far more important than the amount of calories or fat that is consumed.

His theory of ‘insulin resistance' is based on the discovery that there are certain cells in overweight people that do not function as they should.

When excess sugar and carbohydrates are eaten the body makes note that there is a rise in the level of sugar. The pancreas then releases insulin into the body, which helps store sugar in the muscle cells and liver as glycogen that can be used as an extra energy source when needed.

However, there is a limit to the amount of glycogen that the body can store at once. As soon as it reaches its glycogen storage limit, the body stores the excess carbohydrates as fat.

Some individuals who are resistant to ...
... insulin have a tough time using up the excess carbohydrates or even storing it. The body becomes increasingly more resistant to insulin the more it is exposed to it. After a while, the cells become resistant to insulin and create more fat and less glycogen. This is what causes people who are resistant to insulin to gain excess weight. There are other side effects as well including low blood sugar that can cause hypoglycemia, fatigue, depression, sleepiness, increased blood sugar, loss of creativity, poor memory, inability to focus and intestinal bloating. You are at a much higher risk if you are resistant to insulin.

The solution for these people is to restrict their intake of carbohydrates.

The Atkins diet is based on a limited carbohydrate intake. Restricted foods on this plan include complex carbohydrates such as grains, rice and bread as well as simple sugars such as sweets, biscuits and sugary drinks. Even healthy carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice are restricted.
According to these health diets, your carbohydrate limit should not be over 40 grams daily, which sends your body into a ketosis state. In this state, the body burns fat as fuel and insulin production gets affected preventing the formation of even more fat. Your body once again starts utilizing the stored fat as fuel and weight loss is imminent.

The common misconception is that a ketogenic diet could be dangerous to ones health. However, ketosis is an entirely natural state, which is created in the body to be used as fuel when glucose is absent.
The ketosis that results from the Atkins plan causes your carbohydrate cravings to end, which is great as it helps you get over the need to eat excess carbohydrates once and for all.The ketosis and carbohydrate restriction brings about a decrease in carbohydrate cravings. Many people have attested to the fact that being on the Atkins diet online has cured them of their craving for carbohydrates.

In the beginning, the Atkins diet is admittedly very strict. But eventually, over time you learn to restore the balance in your diet if you follow the program well. After a while, you can gradually reintroduce carbohydrates in small amounts into your diet until you reach a comfortable balance between your carbohydrate intake and your health.