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Side Effects of Atkins Discovered:

While following Atkins for Six Months

The annoying low-carbohydrate diet side effects could mean further health problems down the road, according to a scientist who reviewed five different diet studies. The survey is published in The Lancet by Dr. Arne Astrup, an obesity expert.

The conclusions of the study states that several conditions -- or side effects -- common to the Atkins diet (headaches, muscle weakness and either diarrhea or constipation) are reported more often by Atkins dieters than people on other more healthy diets. These side effects may be signs that the eating plan is not healthy in the long run.

The Atkins diet, which allows unlimited amounts of protein and fat, but severely restricts carbohydrate intake, and does not restrict calories, has had a following for decades. Recently, it has come under serious scientific scrutiny due to many reported health issues related to those practicing the diet.

In a more recent study, where four groups of dieters were put on one of four popular diets, found that people tended to move more toward a more moderate diet, one that is less restrictive and more forgiving, but still allowed the person to eat in a way that allowed them to lose weight.

Experts suspect that the weight loss on a low-carbohydrate diet is largely due to water loss, because lots of fluid is bound up on the body's carbohydrate stores that are depleted. However, body composition studies indicated the weight loss also is fat, not just water.

The most frequent complaints with low-carbohydrate diets are constipation and headache, which are readily explained by the lack of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. In addition, bad breath, muscle cramps, diarrhea, general weakness and rashes are more often reported on low-carbohydrate diets than on low-fat diets. These side effects are consistent with carbohydrate deficiency, because the brain and muscle do not get enough sugar from carbohydrates to maintain their normal function.

The body can coast along for a while with the carbohydrate stores in the liver and the muscles, but eventually problems start to occur - some of which can be very serious.

One thing that is often not mentioned, is the a restrictive diet such as this will also limit the intake of Vitamins, Minerals and Micro-nutrients, most only found in the plant kingdom and not in fats or meats. Eskimos who followed their traditional diet of meat and blubber, died at half the age of plant eaters, usually around the age of 35. The reason is that they aged more rapidly and without all the needed nutrients, their bodies gave up and they died.

The Atkins diet is alright for a very short time and has other applications, helping overcome childhood epilepsy, or reversing diabetes, by resetting the bodies systems so they work more efficiently on a healthier diet consisting of plenty of vegetables, greens, grains, some fruit, and a limited amount of meats, dairy or dairy products and eggs. But, the Atkins diet is not ideal and not a healthy choice. Be smarter, eat healthy and your weight will stabilize naturally.

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