Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate diet is a safe also effective method for losing weight. This article evaluates the low carbohydrate diet also specifically the claims made about ketosis.

<h4>The Low Carb-Ketosis Link</h4>

By severely limiting carbohydrates in your diet, the main energy source used by your body, glucose, drops to low levels. In return, insulin levels or else drop. With low glucose also low insulin levels, the body turns to alternative sources of energy.

Because of a significant change in your body's chemistry when on the Atkins Diet, certain metabolic pathways are turned "on" that are normally not "on" or run at very low levels. One such pathway involves the breakdown of fat, called Beta-Oxidation of Fats.

Now, normally fats are broken down to produce energy when your body senses a need. But in the context of a low Carb diet, the normal breakdown pathway of fats is altered also an alternative pathway kicks in. This alternative pathway produces what are called ketone bodies.

Ketosis is the term used to describe when ketone bodies are circulating in your bloodstream. The ketone bodies can be used as alternative sources of energy by, most importantly, your brain.

In case you might be curious, the three ketone bodies produced by this alternative pathway for breaking down fat are acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, also acetone. These ketone bodies are formed in your liver also then are transported to other tissues, mainly the brain. In your brain, they are converted back to a form that can provide direct energy during times of starvation.

Here is the whole process...

<ol><li>Atkins Diet lowers glucose also insulin (the body's main energy source)

<li>Alternative pathways are turned "on" to provide energy

<li>One alternative pathway breaks down fat also produces ketone bodies

<li>Ketone bodies represent the state called ketosis

<li>The brain uses ketone bodies as an alternative source of energy</li></ol>

So, the Atkins Diet (and any low Carb diet) produces a low energy state (low glucose) that causes the breakdown fat using an alternative pathway that leads to the development of ketosis.

So far it sounds pretty good. By limiting Carbs in your diet, you can essentially force your body into breaking down stored fat, the very thing you need to get rid of to lose weight.

But there are problems...

<h4>Atkins Diet also Toxicity</h4>

Ketone bodies are toxic. Many supporters of low Carb diets claim that ketosis is safe. They state that they are natural byproducts of fat breakdown also even babies have high levels of circulating ketone bodies.

First, they are not natural by-products of fat metabolism. The normal beta-oxidation of fats does produce ketone bodies however these are incorporated into the normal cycle of energy production, called the Krebs cycle. When ketone bodies are circulating in your bloodstream, it signals an abnormal physiologic state, called starvation. They are not incorporated into the normal energy cycle, the Krebs cycle, also spill into the bloodstream.

Just because your body has the ability to transport ketone bodies to certain tissues also then use them for energy, does not make it a normal process. It is an alternative pathway that turns "on" only when your body is faced with depleted levels of the main energy source, glucose.

Secondly, babies are not small adults. A baby's liver also brain tissue are made up of different chemicals also pathways, specifically geared to handle the high fat diet coming from mother's milk. These pathways change as a baby grows also starts to eat other foods. Eventually, the normal adult pathways are set up also the infantile chemistry used as evidence to support the safety of ketosis, stop working.

But this is not even related to the fact that ketone bodies are toxic. In medicine, the three ketone bodies mentioned above are classified as toxic acidic chemicals. At high levels, they can cause your blood to become too acidic, a disease state called ketoacidosis.

Granted, this is rare because most of the ketone bodies will be used by the brain as an energy source. Ketoacidosis is usually seen in type one diabetics. It is a medical emergency.

So, is ketosis dangerous to your body? Yes also no. Yes, ketosis represents a state of starvation. Losing weight when the body thinks you're starving is the best way to guarantee weight regain. The weight will come back also come back as fat. No, ketosis will not cause ketoacidosis in non-diabetics. And as long as you have a large storage of fat, your brain will not starve for energy.

<h4>The Final Verdict</h4>

<ol><li>As an alternative physiologic state, ketosis is not dangerous, assuming the levels of ketone bodies do not increase to acidic levels.

<li>As a diet plan, ketogenic diets are not recommended because of the state of starvation they create. Your metabolism will eventually slow down setting you up for weight regain in the near the future.

<li>Ketogenic diets, like the Atkins Diet, may or else be dangerous not because they cause ketosis, however because they promote high protein also fat intake. High protein diets, unless you're body building, increases urea production also can damage the kidneys. Supporters claim that this just does not happen, reporting that no kidney damage has occurred to the millions of dieters on Atkins Diet or other ketogenic diets.

However, it is well known that microscopic damage can occur to the kidneys effecting their ability to filter the blood. But clinical signs of this damage may take several years to manifest. Chronic renal insufficiency is a concern for ketogenic dieters, which may cause problems in the years to come.</li></ol>

<h4>Conclusion</h4>

Atkins Diet also other ketogenic diets (low Carb) can be safe also effective in causing weight loss. However, I recommend keeping ketosis to a minimum also keep your carbohydrate intake above 50 grams a day. Don't follow the suggestions for reaching an "induction" phase. It is not necessary to turn "on" the alternative pathways described above also burn fat.

Remember, healthy weight loss is to burn fat also fat only. But it or else involves keeping your rate of weight loss around 2-3 pounds/week. The induction phase promoted by the Atkins Diet can result in a rate of weight loss far greater than 2-3 pounds/week. It may sound good to you now, however how does gaining it all back as fat sound? Because that will happen if you lose weight too fast.

For more information on ways to experience healthy weight loss, visit

www.weight-loss-professional.com/articles

To Healthy Living!

Dr. Michael A. Smith
Chief Medical Consultant
Diet Basics Website
About the Author

Dr. Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant for Diet Basics, a content based weight loss web site dedicated to all dieters fighting to lose weight. Please visit his site at

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