Does the Atkins Diet cause rapid weight loss?
Yes, it does. This is due to four factors: • Atkins dieters reduce their energy intake by as much as 500 kcal (2100 kJ) a day. Energy reduction will usually result in weight loss, so the Atkins Diet is not unique in this respect. • Most of the weight loss is due to losses of body water and glycogen (the form in which carbohydrates are stored in the body), and will be regained rapidly. • The condition of ketosis, which is induced by the high-fat content of the diet, has an appetite-suppressing effect, but such an effect can also be achieved by eating a high-fibre diet. • Protein foods are more satiating than low-fibre carbohydrate foods, but this is no reason for eating high-fat protein foods. A moderate increase in lean protein intake combined with high-fibre carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index will also prevent hunger. Does the Atkins Diet result in permanent weight loss? No, it doesn’t. Studies that followed dieters for one year found that the majority had regained most of the w
