How Does The Atkins Diet Plan Work?
The Atkins diet is followed by cutting all carbohydrates out of the diet. After a short time this stimulates a process called ketoacidosis, where the body burns fat for energy producing ketones. Ketones are measured in the urine to check the progress of the diet. Ketones are toxic by-products of metabolism that have to be cleared through the kidneys. Followers of the Atkins Diet have to drink plenty of water to flush these out, and prevent the side effects they can cause such as headaches and nausea. The Atkins diet allows certain carbohydrates. After following the diet for two weeks people are allowed to increase the level of carbohydrate in the diet, until a maintenance phase is reached. Weight loss on the Atkins diet can be very rapid which appeals to many dieters.