Adverse Effects of the Atkins Diet Essay -- Exploratory Essays Resear

Adverse Effects of the Atkins Diet The Atkins diet prescribes a menu consisting of high-fat, high-protein foods that theoretically stimulate weight loss. However, excessive consumption of such foods is associated not only with weight loss, but also with several serious health problems. For example, heart disease and atherosclerosis have been linked to foods with high fat content. Further, replacing the carbohydrate component of one's diet with fat and protein stimulates a fat burning process called ketosis, which may adversely impact kidney and liver function; for some dieters, ketosis may result in dehydration and related symptoms, including muscle cramping and fatigue. Based upon the possible side effects of a high-fat, high-protein diet, it is reasonable to assert that the Atkins diet does not promote healthy food choices. Consequently, one's health might be affected adversely by the Atkins plan. As mentioned, heart disease and atherosclerosis are associated with the excessive consumption of high-fat foods encouraged under the Atkins program. More specifically, the Atkins diet places few restrictions on the quantity of fat consumed. One problem with this relatively unregulated intake of high-fat foods (e.g., butter) is that such foods, especially in large portions, have been linked to serious heart and vascular problems. For example, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that children who consumed large amounts of very high-fat foods (foods averaging 90% fat content) demonstrated significant increases in bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and a corresponding decrease in good HDL cholesterol1,2. Triglycerides are derived from glycerol, the chief component of fa... ...tkinsuooh.htm> 3 Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus. 1996. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 4 Journal of Ultasound Medicine . 5 Borgia M.C. and Medici F. "Perspectives in the Treatment of Dyslipidemias in the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease" 6 Fogoros, M.D. et. al. 7 "Muscle Cramps/Twitching." . 8 "Sports Med Tips." . 9 "Ketones Definition." . 10 Bailey, Kathryn. "The Atkins' Diet: Friend or Foe?" . 11 Bailey, Kathryn. et.al. 12 HyperDictionary. .