Why does Atkins work?

also depleting glycogen makes you lose "fakeweight" otherwise known as waterweight.

IMO peps going on Adkins do two things....

1. eat at a deficit
2. finally avoid processed carbs.

I think it's really not eating food that comes out of a box that makes the difference.

also depleting glycogen makes you lose "fakeweight" otherwise known as waterweight.

This

I don't want to enter into any debate about this one.... but the movie FatHead probably gives a better description of low to moderate carb theories than most things I have seen. You can watch it free on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evcNPfZlrZs

The gist of it is lowering your blood glucose by consuming less sugars/starches, and thus your insulin response....which in turn should lower the fat storage.

Folks will debate till blue in the face over it all.

Personally, I can only say moderate to lower carb has helped me control blood sugars and drop pounds better than calorie control alone. But I also agree, the overall calorie number is important too. I don't think too low is good, nor do I think an unlimited amount of calories is fine even if it is low carb.

I think different bodies have slightly different needs. Overall, it is worth paying attention to BOTH calories and carbs in my opinion. I hope the link helps.

Higher protein = greater satiety = consistent calorie deficit

I'm probably wrong, but it sounded good in my head.

No, you're right.

Horizon (a science programme here in the UK) documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laMuyJhMcE0

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What are your blood glucose levels on average? What were they before you went low carb?
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First, carb wise I have been usually in the 100 carb range. I do have occasional days that exceed. So I am not Atkins level low carb. But it does let me acheieve great control. When I started last year my fastings were regularly 135-155. My after meals and random could spike to around 200 ish at times. Not always, but often.

I am no longer even diabetic now...rather technically I am 'in remission'. I no longer take 2000 of metformin daily. My fasting blood sugars have not breached 105 in a while. Usually the 90's nowadays.

My fasting was always my biggest problem number. I have had no random or after meal reads go higher than 120 for a long time either, even when I cheat with a higher carb meal or snack occasionally. Staying overall lower/moderate carb has helped a ton. I also credit the Good Lord just having mercy on me too. :-)

Dr. Neil Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes
Food Revolution by John Robbins
Watch any lecture by Dean Ornish, M.D.

Excessive meat consumption triples your risk of certain types of cancers: mainly: breast, prostate and colon.

World class athletes are learning that vegan or vegetarian diets are giving them a performance edge in their sports.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are generally better at reducing insulin resistance (increasing insulin sensitivity).

The more vegetables you eat, the less of the bad stuff you eat.

Eating a meat heavy diet is quite probably bad for your kidneys, your vascular system, and your heart. The Western diet, high in meat consumption, tracks with heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

There are plenty of medical doctors that now advocate a vegetarian or vegan diet. Note, the first U.S. government panel tasked with creating the first food pyramid was going to advise Americans to eat "little to no meat products." The cattle association got an advanced copy of their report and collectively freaked the F out. They lobbied the government to rework their findings not include this suggestion in the final report. The entire history of this was published in the New York Times. It was about 15 pages worth of article. I didn't look extensively for it, but if you look for an NY Times article that talks about the food pyramid task force in the 70's, you're getting warmer.

Atkins is good at burning glycogen storage in your liver in the first weeks. This is the "easy" weight to lose. Weightloss slows way down after that. My brother has been on again off again Atkins and has
1) never been ever to stick to it for the longterm
2) never loses much after the first few weeks
3) belittles and condescends me constantly for being a vegetarian. I have lost 110 pounds since starting WW. For at least 5 years I have been a vegetarian, and I get to eat very large volumes of vegetables and thus can trigger the "full" sensation because eating sessions have to do with food volumes as much as anything else.

These are just my points. Google the things I've mentioned, consider reading the books I've mentioned, or watch Dean Ornish's lectures on YouTube.

I will not get mired in a debate over my facts. If you don't agree, feel free to post responses. But replying for me would just be redundant. I have heavily researched these issues. Atkins may work for some, but they are going to damage their kidneys in the long term because Ketosis is not a positive condition. It is the body's homeostasis run amok. Homeostasis is the measure of the body's internal functions working harmoniously and in alignment. Ketosis is not a positive internal body chemistry. At least research the critics of Atkins for their views on Ketosis. You are playing with your body chemistry in the worst way when you starve yourself of all carbs. I eat 200 or more carbs a day and I lose weight EASILY when I stick to program.

edit: I don't mean to sound hostile in that final paragraph. Debates over the Atkins diet on MFP boards are constant. People on both sides have very strong opinions about it. I usually stay out of it. People usually don't change their minds when they feel so strongly about it. I'm fine with anyone not agreeing with what I said in this post. But I'm prophylactically stating that I have said what I have to say, and if you don't agree, there is really nothing more I have to say against the Atkins diet.

Myself, I don't eat the 'low carb' products. Never have. I agree they are full of junk. Might as well eat the Hershey bar I ate last night. LOL

Because it has the side effect of putting the practitioner into a calorie deficit