Why does Atkins work? The truth behind the myths
Everyone is talking about Atkins, how it works, and whether there are side-effects.
A recent excellent BBC Horizon documentary tested the diet, but I didn't think the conclusions were that clear.
This is an attempt to summarise and rationalise the results.
This is often over-simplified as "feeling hungry". But a little thought indicates that this can be broken down further.
This is what most people think of as the reason for hunger. But filling your stomach is a temporary fix. Most people learn that an egg-fried-rice (with the emphasis on the rice) initally can make you feel bloated, but one hour later you are hungry again.
...or the old tradition of consuming ten pints of lager and then running off for a Curry.
When you feel tired and listless, you know that food will help you recover.
You just feel hungry. Its not that your stomach feels empty, necessarily, but you want food.
There has been a fair amount of research to indicate that often "thirst" is confused with "hunger", and that by ensuring correct hydration, by drinking sufficient water, many "hunger" pangs are reduced.
Carbohydrates are an energy source the body loves. This is because it can use it straightaway.
When feeling rundown - say towards the end of a marathon run - a high-energy glucose drink or sweet will provide an instant kick.
But...
Carbohydrate will not satisfy hunger. One reason for this is that the body cannot store carbohydrate for extended periods of time.
Protein and Fat can be utilized by the body for long-term storage of energy. The hunger senses will only be satisfied when a meal has laid down sufficient protein. [Result from the BBC Horizon documentary]
If you feel hungry - eat protein (meat, fish, cheese, nuts, soya etc).
If you feel tired - get some instant carbohydrate (fruit, juice, energy drink).
Drink water.
You should aim to consume as few calaries as possible without feeing hungry.
Any carbohydrate you consume, your body will use first. It will store the protein and fat for "future" requirements.
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you will not need much carbohydrate. So avoid carbohydates unless you start to feel very tired - in which case eat some fruit or drink some diluted juice.
Mars bars and digestive biscuits [after substantial personal research]
When people are very sick, for example with cancer or heart failure, they may lose a lot of weight.
The reaction is often to try and persuade the patient to eat more protein to "replace" the lost mass and "bulk up". This is often difficult since the illness may effect their appetite.
But the "Atkins" observation is that people lose weight when they do not have enough ready carbohydrate energy for the body's demands. Therefore, weightloss is an indication of this.
The conclusion is that such patients can be helped by high energy drinks to supply the body with its energy demands and prevent wastage. In addition to the energy drinks, protein supplements should also be used to replace wastage that has already taken place.