Supporters and detractors of the popular Atkins diet have recently engaged in numerous arguments in the media. I will try to summarize the pros and cons of the diet so you can make a decision for yourself.

First let’s examine the facts quickly. Unsurprisingly, it’s estimated that over 40 million American are deciding to choose low carb style diets in their bids to lose weight. Companies and marketers have been making a killing in profits targeting people who have chose this dietary change, by releasing well over 500 products that include the no carb or low carb label.

That just means it works, correct? Yes and no, the long-term health effects of low-carb diets have long been debated, and experts have concluded that such diets can be risky, especially for people over the age of 40.

The diet of all low carb diets, Atkins, which goes with the notion that carb sugars was the main reason for people becoming overweight. WIth all the false statements out there these days, there is slight truth to that statement, as it is usually a mixture of the highly refined sugars, along with the saturated fats, which have helped cause the wide spread fat epedimic today.

The principle is that carbs raise blood sugar levels and then trigger insulin production, in which the insulin directed those refined sugars into your cells, preventing the burning of fat. So, the theory was that if we cut the carbs, the body would use these sugars as it’s primary source of fuel, and the body would start burning fat for energy instead.

Atkins is also highly critical of sugar and recommends eliminating it from your diet. Instead of carbs and sugar, Atkins eaters are allowed plenty of fat and protein. The system specifically recommends animal proteins and notes that vegetarians and vegans will have a hard time following Atkins.

The bad news, the body not only starts losing fat, but also lean muscle, which is needed for a higher metabolism, and water stores in the attempt to gather nutrients formally gained from carbs. When the body burn larger amounts of fats without sufficient carbs it produce something called ketones.

Some possible side effects of Ketones could be head aches, dizzyness, dehydration, bad breath and vomitting. Due to the fuel from carb sugars, the brain can lost it’s primary source as well a long term you can add bone loss, muscle breakdown and kidney disease to the picture, therefore can result in a brain damage and increased risk of a heart attack.

Despite all that, this diet does seem to be an effective way of losing fat weight. If you’re going to attempt this diet, do your homework, don’t follow any diet without proper research.