Atkins Diet

The first stage of the diet ^[5] , called induction or stimulating, is necessary for the conversion of human metabolism to ketosis ( Ketosis ). With ketosis, the body produces ketones from fat cells to produce energy in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the Krebs cycle ^[6] . That is, the Atkins diet is a ketogenic diet . Such diets can improve the regulation of insulin in the blood, which is especially important for type 2 diabetes mellitus ^[7] . Since people on a ketogenic diet consume little carbohydrates, a significant amount of glucose does not form in the blood to release insulin. Since there is no glucose-insulin reaction, changes in metabolic processes occur in the body, leading to the use of accumulated fat cells for energy. The blood glucose level decreases to values ​​less than 3.58 mmol / l (a pathological condition called hypoglycemia ), in which the body produces growth hormone , adrenaline and hyperglycemic pancreatic hormone (glucagon) to maintain metabolism ^[8] . In adipose tissue cells, growth hormones and adrenaline activate the mechanisms of cleavage of triacylglycerol into fatty acids. These fatty acids enter the muscle tissue and liver, where they are oxidized and form acetyl-CoA , which directly enters the Krebs cycle . ^{[8] The} excess of acetyl-CoA in the liver is converted to ketones ( ketone bodies ), which are secreted by the liver and subsequently converted again in the muscles and brain back to acetyl-CoA to enter the Krebs cycle. Glucagon is produced only at low blood glucose levels and initiates liver breakdown of glycogen into glucose. If a person’s carbohydrate intake remains small, the level of glycogen in the liver drops, it begins to break down fats into free fatty acids and ketone bodies, a process called ketosis . Accordingly, the Atkins diet is a type of ketogenic diet . ^[8]

The Atkins diet limits carbohydrate intake to switch metabolism from using glucose as the energy “fuel” to burning fat stored in the human body. This process, called ketosis (not to be confused with ketoacidosis , which has similar symptoms), is triggered by low insulin levels. In a normal state, insulin levels are low with low blood glucose (for example, before meals). With ketosis-lipolysis, excess lipids in the cells begin to gradually penetrate the blood, and used as an energy source.

Eating simple carbohydrates (for example, glucose or starch, which is a chain of glucose molecules) leads to an increase in sugar levels immediately after eating (for example, in the treatment of diabetes, the daily amount of insulin necessary for the patient is determined by the blood sugar level ^[9] ). Eating low carbohydrate foods has only a negligible effect on insulin and blood sugar levels.

In his book, Dr. Atkins' New Dietary Revolution, Atkins put forward a thesis, unexpected at that time, that a low-carb diet provides a metabolic advantage for weight loss - since more calories are consumed in burning fat [than in burning carbohydrates], which means that the body loses more calories. He refers to a study in which this advantage is estimated at 950 calories per day. On the other hand, a review by Lancet ^[10] argues that there is no metabolic advantage, and people on this diet consume fewer calories due to depression.
Professor Astrup says, “The monotony and simplicity of this diet leads to loss of appetite and the amount of food consumed.” This is a dubious statement , since the Atkins nutrition system does not actually limit the consumption of foods such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, salad vegetables, mushrooms. In small quantities, Atkins allows you to eat dairy products, nuts and some other products. However, it does not limit the content of fats in food, which is important for people who are overweight. According to the list of allowed products , the Atkins diet is one of the mildest . In addition, the adrenaline and growth hormone released in sufficient amounts on this diet are themselves “natural antidepressants”.
Atkins says hunger is the main reason low-fat diets don't pay off. His low-carb diet is much easier to carry - because you can eat as much food as you like ^[11] . Atkins strictly limits “simple carbohydrates” (that is, easily digestible refined carbohydrates), which lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar. One of the noticeable effects with this limitation is indeed a decrease in appetite.

With a carbohydrate-free ketogenic diet, the level of ketone bodies in the blood rises sharply. Up to 20% of the formed ketone bodies are removed from the body during urination ( ketonuria ), as well as through the skin and lungs. Most fruits and vegetables are banned due to the high content of carbohydrates, which can cause digestion problems, especially at the initial stage, therefore, to achieve the necessary fiber level in food and normal digestion, it is advisable to take preparations containing plant fibers (fiber) ^[12] . Also, at the beginning of the diet, it is recommended to take multivitamins. After normalizing the weight, the proportion of vegetables in the diet can be increased, and preparations containing fiber and multivitamins should be taken as necessary. Muscle weakness is possible due to reduced glycogen levels in muscle fibers.

Diet is contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys and liver, during pregnancy and feeding ^[3] .

• Diet
• Ketogenic diet
• Kremlin diet
• Ducan's diet

• Bravata DM, Sanders L, Huang J, Krumholz HM, Olkin I, Gardner CD, Bravata DM (April 2003). "Efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets: a systematic review." JAMA 289 (14): 1837-50. doi: 10.1001 / jama.289.14.1837. PMID 12684364 .
• Theory and practice of low-carb nutrition. Community.