Principle: This is hyperprotidique (excess protein) and hyperlipidiques (excess fat). It excludes all foods that contain carbohydrates: cereals, starchy foods, fruits, dairy and sugar products with the exception of cheese. By contrast, consumption of meat, fish, eggs, animal fats and plant vegetables is limitless.

Critique: The absence or lack of fruits and vegetables leads to a deficiency in vitamins, minerals and fiber. These gaps are directly responsible for fatigue and constipation. Moreover, the almost total absence of sugars is often the cause of a muscle wasting. This method is strongly discouraged ...

Known by its author "Diet Revolution", this regime has taken the name of Coleman American doctor Robert Atkins who has developed in the early 1970s, and has published in book form in 1975. Focus on the scheme.

Followed by millions of women and men around the world, the Atkins diet back in fashion today, as evidenced by a new book published by Knopf in 2005, "Atkins for Life" and decorated with recipes which were not present in the original edition. He brings with him all the arrangements "Low Carb", ie little or no carbohydrates (sugars), very popular now.

Principle of the Atkins diet

In the light of scientific knowledge of his time, Dr. Atkins has developed a theory: it removes the carbohydrate diet because they secrete insulin, a hormone managing excess sugar in the blood and being made responsible for the storage of fat. Once carbohydrates aside, one can, in theory, ingest lipids and proteins and will see to volatilize the excess weight.
Atkins diet AtkinsLe regime in practice

Since fat intake will be at will, according to the author, not treated in the absence of dietary carbohydrates, it is alcohol and remove all sources of carbohydrates (pasta, sweets, bread, fruits, the majority vegetables, rice, starchy foods, cereals, yogurts, cheeses ...), white to draw the missing carbohydrate energy in fat reserves. Only 50 to 80 grams of vegetables (as lettuce, spinach, cucumber) are allowed on the day.

You can then will of protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheeses, meats ...) and fat (cream, butter, oil ...), short, many popular foods ... but without bread or carbohydrate foods. You can eat as many calories as you want, as long as we respect these prohibitions.

Effectiveness of the Atkins diet

The method promises to lead to significant weight loss: 15 to 30 kg while consuming 2 000 to 3 000 kcal per day! Examples of prodigious weight loss have been reported, at least in the short term, since then, the yo-yo effect is just as spectacular. Health problems are also far from rare because of a nutritional disaster.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Atkins diet

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of this method? Petit panorama:

Advantages: This system is simple to understand. It is unnecessary to monitor and restrict the amount of food allowed. Weight loss is rapid and coupled with certain euphoria (in excess of protein in food) and a decrease in appetite (for the secretion of ketones in the body in reaction to the plan).

Inconvenient: This is disgusting and very quickly if we lose, it is only by fatigue. In addition, the initial weight loss is often already at a loss in water, not fat. It is indeed related to the fact that the body draws on its own reserves of sugars (known as glycogen) because we do not bring him while organs are dependent (liver, brain, kidneys ...) . Once those reserves run out and certainly the body uses fat, but also its muscles to provide glucose and hence the energy needed for the proper functioning of these bodies. He gets tired and then produces substances called ketones. And when the ketones are too high in the blood, resulting in a state of fatigue and an inhibition of appetite *. The result: though they are allowed to eat as much as they want, the followers of this scheme actually absorb fewer calories because they have less and less hungry. Similarly, the state called ketoacidosis, leads to a very unpleasant breath and durable!

As for the physical, this scheme is worrying because it is weak in vitamins and micronutrients protective for lack of fruit and vegetables (vitamin C, polyphenols ...), it is low in fiber, which can cause significant constipation and too rich in protein foods, with the risk of dangerously up the blood and urinary uric acid (which can cause gout or bladder stones, especially in cases of insufficient fluid intake). Finally, the scheme is "high fat", it is not uncommon to see disorders of the gallbladder, and if it is true that a massive release of fatty acids is observed, it is usually too sudden generator lipid metabolic disorders, such as a blood cholesterol levels in excess, which promotes cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this scheme has been named by scientists as "passport to the heart attack!

In conclusion, even if the method is good for large appetites "carnivores" rather attracted by the salty taste, this arrangement is not advisable, especially during severe physical activity.