Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program not only helps you lose weight, it supports healthy cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure and provides valuable Omega 3 Fatty Acids in its diet eating menu. Weight loss participants will be happy to know that the Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program leads to a happy weight loss, and a happy heart.

Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program, despite its high fat content, has many health benefits that promote cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease affects well over 80 million people each year, at a cost estimated at over 400 billion dollars. Obesity is a major contributor to heart disease; therefore, a successful weight loss program will no doubt reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol from LDL, and low cholesterol from HDL, is also dietary risk factors for heat disease. The Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program, compared to other low-carb and low-fat diets, has been scientifically proven to result in weight loss, lower Triglycerides levels (fats in blood, a contributor to heart disease), lower blood pressure, and increased HDL levels, which is the “good cholesterol” that is favorable to reducing the risk for heart disease.

These results from a notable Stanford University study were surprising to members of the scientific community that held negative presumptions about the effectiveness of the Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program. Although this particular study was one of the most thorough and conclusive studies, studies done by the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and many other medical entities have been published by the New England Journal of Medicine, and throughout the media and medical communities.

Part of the success of the Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program to promote cardiovascular health is its allowance of a high fish intake in the diet eating menus of the weight loss participants striving to lose weight. Fish naturally contains high levels of Omega 3, which is a significant benefit to overall health and a healthy heart. The National Public Health Institute of Finland has researched levels of Omega 3 in fish and reported that Fried Tuna contains 1014mg per 100 gram food portion, Halibut and Trout contain around 440mg per the same portion, and Salmon, depending on how it’s prepared, contains between 345mg and 365mg. If you’re into eclectic fishes, eel and lamprey contain the highest amounts at 1300mg, and herring, mackerel and sardines are in the top ten running between the high 700s and high 800s of milligrams. Elitists will be happy to know that dark caviar came in at number 11 at 606mgs.

The popularity and publicity of Omega 3 and its contributions to a healthy diet and weight loss programs has more than doubled over the last few years because of continuing discoveries about its health benefits. The body does not naturally produce omega 3, but it is essential for good health. Omega 3 is necessary for healthy brain cells, the nervous system, memory and learning. Deficiencies in Omega 3 have been found to contribute to several brain disorders and depression. Several science journals are reporting the possible cancer prevention benefits of Omega 3 because of its anti-inflammatory benefits. This would also be medically beneficial to arthritis, migraines, and multiple sclerosis, as well as autoimmune diseases.

Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program has many benefits, including cardiovascular health and a large allowance for foods with Omega 3 content. When choosing a diet plan, weight loss is not the only consideration. The long-term effects of cardiovascular health, as well as overall well being must also be considered. The Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program has integrated these considerations into their healthy diet eating menu plans. Healthy weight loss and a healthy heart are all possible with the Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program. It’s a healthy choice to stop fishing around for other diets and start with the Atkins Diet Weight Loss Program for healthier weight loss, and better overall health.

One of the most common questions people suffering with diabetes ask is “What can I eat?” After all, diabetes as a disease lies as a metabolic disorder, affecting the way your body extracts energy from food eaten. Myths abound when it comes to diabetes and related food plan for a perfect diabetes diet or Adkins diet is the sound knowledge of the food products that can be part of the diet and the ones that need to be skipped. In coming lines going to reveal knowledge related to a perfect diabetes diet or Atkins diet composition to fight diabetes.

If you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. This leads to high blood glucose, or sugar, levels in your blood. Healthy eating helps to reduce your blood sugar. This is the most typical aspect of managing your diabetes, because controlling your blood sugar can prevent the complications of diabetes.

Daily diet composition plays a vital role in controlling the diabetes. The diabetic diet or Atkins diets are the best options that can be used alone or else in combination with insulin doses or with oral hypoglycemic drugs. Main objective of diabetic diet or Atkins diet is to maintain ideal body weight, by providing adequate nutrition along with normal blood sugar levels in blood. The diet plan for a diabetic is based on height, weight, age, sex, physical activity and nature of diabetes. While planning diet, make sure to consider complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels. In such cases patient needs something which can provide all the information about the calories, sugar level that can calculate the calories and sugar level. Effective diabetic-management requires a healthy regular lifestyle which should include-

1. Working towards obtaining ideal body weight

2. Regular balanced diet & following a diabetic diet

3. Regular exercise

4. Sensible weight control

5. Diabetic medication if needed

6. Diabetes can be controlled by the daily activities, patient should know that what, when, and how much eating will affect the blood glucose level.

Make sure to choose foods from the food groups: starches, vegetables, fruit, meat and meat substitutes, and milk and yogurt. How much of each depends on how many calories is need a day. The Diabetes Diet or Atkins diet can be a sure shot mantra for maintaining your desired weight, avoiding heart disease and managing blood sugar.

When the Atkins diet was published, it gave rise to many controversies about whether low-carb diets really work or not. Soon, a battle started between high and low-carb diets. In fact, studies showed that the Atkins diet is as efficient as any diet when it comes to losing weight.

Misconception #1: Low-carb diets don`t work.

If you’re looking for fast weight loss, then the Atkins diet is what you need. However, if you’re looking for long-lasting weight loss, then the Atkins diet offers the same results as most other diets. Studies showed that dieters who followed the Atkins diet gained weight after ending the diet, just like dieters who quit following other diets.

Misconception #2: Research has definitively proved that the Atkins diet works.

Research has actually proved that the Atkins diet works as well as other diets or even better for short-term weight loss. The Atkins diet, like many other diets, is not completely efficient, because it cannot guarantee permanent weight loss.

Misconception #3: Studies showed that the Atkins diet doesn`t increase the level of cholesterol.

Whether the Atkins diet increases the level of cholesterol or not is still being questioned. However, a recent study showed that people who followed the Akins diet had higher levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as the “good” cholesterol. Researchers still don’t have enough data to decide whether diets high in saturated fats are good or not.

Misconception #4: With the Atkins diet, you`ll lose weight forever.

The faster a diet makes you lose weight, the more difficult is to keep that weight off. Weight control can be achieved only with a balanced diet.

Misconception #5: With the Atkins diet, you can eat as much as you want.

This sounds good for those with hypoglycemia, cravings, and those who get hungry again soon after eating. However, it has not been proven that those who successfully follow the Atkins diet do in fact eat as much as they want. Moreover, no diet or food combination can disregard the law of calorie balance, according to which you need to burn more calories than you eat in order to lose weight.

(c) Project Weight Loss 2009. All rights reserved.

Much has already been said, written and talked about Atkins Diet Menu. The reason why I am going to stick to just the very basic features of this low carb diet.

This diet was originally developed in the 1960s by Dr. Atkins. In the early 1990s he re-launched his diet into the fitness and nutrition arena by publishing the book Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, which went on to become a best seller.

The Atkins Diet is a basically a low carbohydrate, high-protein diet to attain weight-loss. The seventies brought Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution at its peak. And since then, thousands have tried the diet, and millions of copies of his books have been sold.  Statistics have an interesting story to tell – it says that approximately 25% of people in America alone are following Atkins diet menu at any given point of time.

When one shifts to Atkins diet her or his food cravings show a remarkable downward shift, as a result of which, the person feels more energized – mentally as well as physically. What makes the Atkins Diet Plan so popular is that it helps one lose weight without having to count calories. People who have followed it have lost between 10 to 30 pounds in the first month itself! Needless to mention they have adhered to their diet meal plan that consists of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and good carbohydrate and fats along with exercises recommended by them.

Atkins Diet menu is devided into three to four phases:

The Indcution phase which lasts 14 days and comprises diet where it is recommended that one consumes no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates  per day. Which means no fruits, no bread or grains, or starchy vegetables. During the 2nd stage known as Ongoing Weight Loss Phase, the dieters experiment with various combinations of food until they are able to identify a certain amount of carbohydrate intake that allows the patient to continue to lose weight until the time she/he achieves her weight-loss goals that one had set for.

This is a slightly crucial stage as the dieters are trying to strike a balance to keep active and kicking and go through the grind at the same time. Once the person weighs no more than what he should, the third phase begins. Atkins diet menu’s third phase is about maintaining this weight. Again it’s for the dieters to determine the level of carbohydrate intake that will allow him/her to maintain this new and better weight. This phase is called Pre-maintenance and maintenance.

As far as safety factors are concerned, following Atkins Diet menu has not shown any adverse affects vis a vis cholesterol and triglyceride levels. But before you shift to Atkins Diet Menu, it’s advised that you consult your family doctor or keep him/her in loop. Since the doctor knows your medical history and other physical conditions and factors, she will be able to guide much better and will have your best interest in mind.

[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. we thought you would enjoy the information. ]

What do these six things have in common?

– McDonalds
– Renée Zellweger
– Epileptic children
– Yours truly
– Most bodybuilding and fitness competitors
– Kiefer Sutherland

Give up?

All the above employ the strategies of the low-carb dietplan.

Recently researchers have found that low-carb nutrition plan reduced the number of seizures in epileptic children.

Most of the world’s leanest physiques get that way on a regimen, limited or not, of low-carbs and higher protein.

Even McDonalds is getting into the act.

Even Renée Zellweger.

Even Kiefer Sutherland.

Even me.

Kinda.

Read on and I’ll explain what I mean…

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Why Low-Carb Works

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When McDonalds starts counting carb grams in their food, you know someone is either jumping on a trend or finally seeing the light.

In this case, both — but it is a good thing. Low-carb dietplans. They work.

For the masses, they work because they are the easiest nutrition plan to follow when you’re busy.

McDonalds and stars like Kiefer Sutherland figured this out. The busy on-the-go guy or gal doesn’t want to make the time to prepare six meals per day and carry them around in Tupperware.

When choosing my own lifestyle nutrition plan, time and convenience played a major role. I looked at role models who were very busy, formerly obese, and very lean.

Most of them rely in some form or fashion on a low-carb strategy.

Low-carb also works, much to the hem and haw of traditional doctors and nutritionists, due to the way the body processes fuel.

For those of us fortunate enough to grow up on whole grains and very low-sugar mealplans, a moderate to higher-carb nutrition plan may work just fine.

But most of us grew up eating junk.

Processed foods, fast foods, and downright junk was the cornerstone of our dietplans. That puts your body on the “carb defense.”

After years of abuse the body becomes resistant to carbohydrates. The insulin they produce can cause all sorts of health issues, fat-burning problems, and more.

When carbs are removed, even healthy carbs like whole grains, the body has time to re-adjust.

In some cases, you can go back to a moderate-carb plan with whole grains and fruits after a period of time.

In others, you are a “low-carber” for life.

Guess which one I am?

Finally, low-carb works because you tend to eat less. Fat is very satiating, and most low-carb plans are fairly high in dietaryfat.

So, in recap:

— Easy and convenient;
— Metabolically important for carb recovery;
— Lower in total food volume (eat less)

Do not make light of that first point. Any plan that is not simple is one very few people will stick to. Making your plan simple and tasty is key, even if that plan is not “perfect” by nutritional standards.

Now, by far, the best low-carb dietplan in the world (yes, I’m bias for good reason!) is this:

click.here ——> My Favorite Foods Diet Presentation

EODD works so well because your carbs are low for “most” of the time. Not “all” of the time. And the times when your carbs are not low you can enjoy your favorite foods.

Personally I enjoy pizza and burgers on my non-low-carb days. You can enjoy whatever you want if you just keep it reasonable.

You see, there’s no need to diet-perfect.

Progress always trumps perfection.

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Why Low-Carb Fails

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There are two primary reasons for the failure of the low-carb nutrition plans: boredom and media bashing.

One causes irritability. The other, doubt. Unless you’re certain that your plan will work, you will eventually go off of it.

This is true of any plan, no matter how ideal it is. Certainty rules.

That’s why I believe in having a flexible, tasty plan like EODD.

Then boredom is easily solved.

I share my own unique ideas about “cycling” carbs and fats in the presentation here:

click.here ——> My Favorite Foods Diet Presentation

Using my cycle strategy you will rarely if ever become bored. And your body will burn more bodyfat too. It’s just a cheap metabolic trick…but boy, it works.

The second reason is media and medical bias. One study after another has proven that low-carb plans, even the Atkins plan, works and is safe to use for most people.

Check with your doctor first, of course.

I’ve seen researchers get down-right angry when the results come back. In one study, carried out for a full year, the low-carb plan out-performed the so-called “healthy” Dean Ornish plan.

Lower blood fats, more weightloss, and more energy were the results.

My preference always comes back to low-carb nutrition. I just cycle it in a way that allows me to get plenty of veggies, some grains, and ample fiber.

Even a slice of cheesecake here and there… : )

Hey…I said “low-carb”, not “low-life!”

Yours In Fitness,

J O N   B E N S O N

P.S. One of these days the mainstream medical community will wake up to the fact that 90% of the population will never eat 15 servings of veggies per day.

While this may be “optimal”, it’s not at all practical. I’d rather give you down-to- earth practical nutrition advice that you CAN and WILL follow — and enjoy.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

click.here ——>  My Favorite Foods Diet Presentation

Dr.Robert Atkins addressed his own weight condition from a diet he read in the Journal of the American Medical Association.  Realizing the benefits of the diet he  followed Atkins later popularized the idea as The Atkins Diet in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution in 1972. The Atkins Diet or just ‘Atkins’ is a well known low carbohydrate diet.

How Atkins Diet Works

The Atkins Diet states we can change our metabolism and lose weight easily simply by eating foods high in protein and fat and limiting foods high in carbohydrate. Consuming a high level of carbohydrates causes overproduction of insulin, leading to increased hunger and weight gain. The diet encourages the consumption of foods rich in protein.

The Four Stages of the Atkins Diet

Induction

The Induction phase is the first, and most restrictive, phase of the Atkins Nutritional Approach. It is intended to cause the body to quickly enter a state of ketosis. Carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 net grams per day.

Ongoing Weight Loss

The Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) phase of Atkins consists of an increase in carbohydrate intake, but remaining at levels where weight loss occurs. The target daily carbohydrate intake increases each week by 5 net grams.

Pre-Maintenance

Carbohydrate intake is increased again this time by 10 net carbs a week from the ladder groupings, and the key goal in this phase is to find the “Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance”, this is the maximum number of carbohydrates you can eat each day without gaining weight.

Lifetime Maintenance

This phase is intended to carry on the habits acquired in the previous phases, and avoid the common end-of-diet mindset that can return people to their previous habits and previous weight. Whole, unprocessed food choices are emphasized, with the option to drop back to an earlier phase if you begin to gain weight.

Each stage becomes progressively less restrictive and gradually increases carbohydrates allowed.

What Food is Allowed in Atkins Diet

The allowed foods include a liberal amount of all meats, fish, shellfish, fowl, and eggs; up to 4 ounces (113 g) of soft or semi-soft cheese; salad vegetables; other low carbohydrate vegetables; and butter and vegetable oils.

Sample Menu Plan from the Atkins Diet

Breakfast:

Italian sausage frittata

Cup of Herbal Tea

Lunch

Tuna salad with mixed leafy greens topped with bacon bits

Dinner:

Bacon cheeseburger with broccoli and cauliflower

Fresh fruit kebobs

Snacks:

High-protein, low-sugar snack bar

What Food is Not Allowed in Atkins Diet

No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages, not even diet soda. Beverages are limited to water, and consumption of caffeine is not allowed. It May be difficult to eliminate breads and cereals, especially in families with children who love these types of foods.

Misconceptions about the Atkins Diet

Many people incorrectly believe that the Atkins Diet promotes eating unlimited amounts of fatty meats and cheeses. This is a key point of clarification that Dr. Atkins addressed in the more recent revisions of his book. Although the Atkins Diet does not impose limits on certain foods, or caloric restriction in general, Dr. Atkins points out in his book that this plan is “not a license to gorge.

Another common misconception arises from confusion between the Induction Phase and rest of the diet. The first two weeks of the Atkins Diet are strict, with only 20g of carbohydrates permitted per day. Atkins states that a dieter can safely stay at the Induction Phase for several months if the person has a lot of weight to lose. Once the weight-loss goal is reached, carbohydrate levels are raised gradually, though still significantly below USDA norms, and still within or slightly above the definition of ketosis.

Known Health Benefits of the Atkins Diet

There are over 50 studies that highlight the positive weight loss results and other health benefits associated with following the Atkins Diet. These benefits include weight loss, improvement in risk factors for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, inflammation, benefits in treating epilepsy and decreasing obesity in children and adolescents.

Study out of University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Washington University School of Medicine randomly assigned participants to a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet or a low-calorie, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.  The low-carbohydrate diet produced a greater weight loss and was associated with a greater improvement in some risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Study out of Stanford University Medical School compared four weight-loss diets representing a spectrum of low to high carbohydrate intake for effects on weight loss and related metabolic variables. Participants assigned to follow the Atkins diet, which had the lowest carbohydrate intake, lost more than twice the weight and experienced favorable overall metabolic effects at 12 months than those assigned to follow the Zone, Ornish, or LEARN diets.

Additional Suggested Health Benefits of the Atkins Diet

Many people like being able to eat as much protein and fat as they wish, because these foods are often restricted in more traditional diet plans.

For people who have tried a low-fat, high-carbohydrate weight loss plan without success, increasing protein in their diet often results in decreased food cravings and more rapid weight loss.

The diet is relatively easy to follow; there are no complicated meal plans.

Potential Risks of the Atkins Diet

Eating unlimited amounts of fat, especially saturated fat found in meat products, can lead to increased risk of heart disease. Extensive research on healthy populations tells us to eat more fruits,vegetables and whole grains. Restricting these foods in the name of weight loss may lead to long-term health problems.

Additionally any diet that limits carbohydrate causes the body to rely on fat or muscle for energy. When our body breaks down stored fat to supply energy, a byproduct called ketones is formed. Ketones suppress appetite, but they also cause fatigue, nausea, and a potentially dangerous fluid loss. Anyone with diabetes, heart, or kidney problems should check with their physician before following a low-carb diet.

Unpleasant side effects include constipation (caused by the low-fiber diet) and bad breath.

Impact of the Atkins Diet on Diet Culture

Since the Atkins Diet made headlines n the late ’90s, there has been an explosion of low carbohydrate versions of traditionally high carbohydrate products, such as bread, pasta and even candy. Thiewed as the “grand daddy” and cause of the explosion of low carrb diets popularity in the nineties to early 2000.

What the Experts are Saying about the  Atkins Diet

Atkins Diet supporters claim it offers faster weight loss and a relatively user-friendly eating plan. Sceptics, including dietitians and nutritionists, maintain that Atkins Diet weight loss is both short-term and possibly a health risk, even though the weight loss itself may have the beneficial effect of lowering cholesterol.

Dr. Foster, one of the researchers involved in studying the Atkins Diet, acknowledged the possible health dangers of the Atkins diet and stated a longer five-year study was planned:

“This larger study of 360 participants will help us more fully assess the benefits and risks of low-carbohydrate diets on bone mass, kidney function, arterial function and exercise tolerance,” he said. “I’m very, very concerned that people will get the message from these studies that the Atkins diet is safe and effective, but I don’t believe we know that yet.”

Brigid McKevith, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), said:

“We welcome the fact that the Atkins diet is being studied scientifically and that randomised controlled studies have been carried out, because it’s very popular with the public. [however] There are several potential problems with the Atkins diet. These include long term bone health, as with a very high protein intake the excretions of calcium increase, so there could be implications for the health of bones,” she explained.

“There could be difficulties for people who have an underlying problem with their kidneys or liver, because it would be putting more strain on those organs, and problems in terms of heart disease too, as it’s a diet very low in fruits and vegetables. Also, it’s very low in fiber, so in terms of digestive health, it’s not in keeping with our fibre and complex carbohydrate recommendations.”

Belinda Linden, head of medical information at the British Heart Foundation, holds similar views.

“The new studies do not indicate a dramatic weight loss for excessively obese people,” she said. “Previous studies have shown that weight loss from the Atkins Diet may involve muscle loss rather than body fat. Another potential problem is that it is so far unclear from studies whether weight loss is sustained over a longer period than six months. One of the studies shows no significant difference at 12 months.” She added that: “With minimal fruit and vegetables included in the diet, it holds serious implications for coronary heart disease and cancer. Diets need to be varied to protect against these conditions – and this one isn’t. This diet requires further long term and larger studies before its effectiveness can be confirmed.”

Volumetrics author Barbara Rolls, PhD, who holds the Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at Penn State University, offers a very simple explanation as to why people lose weight on Atkins diet:

“They’re cutting calories, even if they don’t realize it. No one has shown, in any studies, that anything magical is going on with Atkins other than calorie restriction. The diet is very prescriptive, very restrictive, and limits half of the foods we normally eat. In the end it’s not fat, it’s not protein, it’s not carbs – it’s calories. You can lose weight on anything that helps you to eat less, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you.”

Neal Barnard, MD, president of the Physicians Commission for Responsible Medicine, a non-profit research group based in Washington, says:

“Low-carb diets have been linked to increased frequency of colon cancer, formation of kidney stones, kidney disease, and even osteoporosis… The reason for the health worries is in large part due to red meat. People who eat meat every day have three times greater risk of developing colon cancer. And then there is the problem of the kidneys. They aren’t designed to work on an oil slick of fat.”

Susan Barr, registered dietitian in New York City, says:

“There have been reports in the medical literature that say that this low-carb diet may not be as bad as we thought. That makes people interested again in this diet, but until there is more research on what stresses the diet places on the body, there is no way to know what it might be doing besides providing short-term weight loss.”

The Bottom Line

The Atkins Diet is an optimally balanced lifetime eating plan with the flexibility to meet each individual’s unique physical condition addressing factors such as age, gender, level of physical activity, and metabolic rate.

This diet may seem like the tastiest way to lose weight, but don’t be misled by claims of effortless weight loss and unlimited amounts of food. Nothing is that simple!