Evaluation

-


Pros and Cons of the Atkins Diet 

There are many health benefits to this diet, although the Atkins Diet also has its limitations:
(healthline.com, 2005-2019)


Evaluation

Research on the Atkins diet has shown that it aids in weight loss in the early phases, due to the decrease of hunger, and promotion of fat loss in the abdominal cavity. The diet can improve or reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes, and has proven to lower the blood’s triglycerides, which in effect helps to lower blood pressure and insulin levels and increase of HDL (good) cholesterol (healthline.com, 2005-2019). Atkins does have potential health benefits, however any diet which aids in losing weight will improve said health conditions, thus low - carbohydrate diets are not essential for healing.

Additionally, inducing ketosis in the body can increase the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancerous cells in the body. There is also a risk that ketosis may worsen existing health conditions, particularly due to the high-fat element of the diet (Crowe, 2017).

Dependent upon the individual’s nutrient requirements, a high protein and low carbohydrate diet may be suitable, particularly as they are low kilojoule. However, diets which provide adequate amounts of each macronutrient are just as effective in sustaining good health, and supporting weight loss (Crowe, 2017).

The Atkins Diet was no more benefit in contributing to weight loss, in comparison to other diets. According to a study conducted by the American Medical Association, 2005, ‘Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss’, each of the diets resulted in similar weight loss outcomes, demonstrating that individual dietary adherence is a significant factor in weight loss rather than the type of fad diet chosen (Dansinger, 2005). To conclude, Atkins is not mandatory for weight loss or the improvement of health.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 25, 2019 at 11:38 PM

    Didn't know much about this diet but your blog has given me a very insightful and comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons


    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Australian Dietary Guidelines & Recommendations

-
Image
(Woman's World, 2018)  ( Department of Health, 2015) Dietary Guidelines . While the Atkins Diet is based heavily around vegetables and meats, which contain many essential nutrients, for example, the daily recommended calcium intake, and an adequate amount of thiamine, folate, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E. Participants of this diet often struggle to reach the adequate amounts of nutrients outlined in the ‘Australian Dietary Requirement’s, therefore it is suggested that a multivitamin or multimineral supplement is taken, to reach the daily nutritional requirements.  Although an individual’s iron levels will increase due to the additional intake from meat, fish and legumes. The Australian Dietary Guidelines, specifically guideline 2 promotes “Enjoy[ing] a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five groups every day” (Department of Health, 2015). The Atkins diet is not wholly in line with this, as individuals’ food choices become qu
Read more

Atkins Diet - What is it?

-
Image
(Boston Children's Hospital, 2018) What is the Atkins Diet? The Atkins Diet is a “nutritional approach” based around high-protein and high-fat eating, where carbohydrate intake is controlled to below 20 grams per day (Atkins, 1999, p.47). The diet claims that people are overweight due to metabolic imbalances, which arise from a high carbohydrate intake within their diet. Fast results are promised to be achieved in a short period of time, however, this has more effect in the beginning, and in some cases, unsustainable long term (Crowe, 2017, p.303). 4 stages of the diet The diet is planned into 4 phases, which provide clear dietary guidelines for participants to follow. (Atkins Nutritionals Inc., 2016) * * * To view  reference lis t , go to Home >   ≡   (top left) > references
Read more