Since the first book on Atkins diet that was published way back in 1972, the publishers have sold more than 15 million copies of it to date. During the initial phases then, doctors considered the diet to be foolish and also dangerous, since they thought that the high amount of fat and beef that the book advised its readers to eat would leave them sky-high levels of cholesterol.

However, studies have indicated that users of this diet did not experience any difference in the levels of blood pressure or bad cholesterol, and only reported of increase in levels of good cholesterol and triglycerides. Triglycerides are referred to the fat found in the blood stream.

Dr. Frederick F. Samaha, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, led the VA study, and has reportedly said that Atkins does make one lose more weight, however, the difference is not too much.

There were two studies conducted on the Atkins diet in the VA study. The first involved 132 participants, both male and female, with an average weight of about 286 lbs (129 kg). Some participants were kept on Atkins diet, while the rest were given a low-fat diet. When the results were calculated after six months, those on Atkins diet lost an average of 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg), and the others lost only an average of 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg).
The other study that was conducted involved about 63 participants, with an average weight of 217 lbs (98 kg). This again went for a period of six months, and those on Atkins diet lost nearly 15.4 lbs (6.9 kg). On the other hand, those were kept on a low-fat diet lost about 7 lbs (3.1 kg).

However, by the end of the year, Atkins dieters had regained nearly one-third of the weight they had lost. The net loss in the weight was therefore concluded to be 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) in this case. Those on low-fat diet regained about one-fifth, with a net loss of 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg).

However, Dr. Samaha also pointed out that the difference at the end of the year was not big enough to conclude whether it was caused by these diets.

Nearly 40% of the patients quit the study in between, and although the Atkins dieters said that the diet was comparatively easier to stick with, it caused no difference to the number of people who left the study, even when they were on the same diet.

According to Foster, the most important result that came out from the study was that this diet was found to be an effective short-term technique to lose weight. The study was never done for a sufficient amount of time to conclude whether it was healthy too.

The Atkins diet is divided into four phases for better understanding and optimal loss of weight. These are:

• Phase 1

  – Limit the intake of carbohydrates to only 20 per day. This initiates the usage of fat that is stored in the body, making it the primary source of energy. The phase has to go on for about two weeks, and this causes a significantly heavy weight loss, in an average of about 15 lbs.

  Doctors recommend the consumption of foods such as lean proteins. These include fish, chicken, eggs and beef. You can also take vegetables in this case, but these are limited to broccoli and leafy ones only. Avoid the consumption of fruits, pasts and also nuts during this phase.

• Phase 2 – Also known as the OWL (Ongoing Weight Loss) phase. One using Atkins diet for weight loss has to continue this phase until she or she is within 10 lbs of their desired weight. The main aim of this phase is to make the dieter learn how to limit the carbohydrate count, and further continue his journey towards weight loss.

  This phase allows the consumption of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Carbohydrates are added to the diet gradually, on a weekly basis. The dieter should keep a regular check on the intake of carbohydrates and also the weight. This helps in continuing the process of weight loss effectively. The carbohydrate thus recorded is also known as the Critical Carbohydrate Level for losing weight.

• Phase 3 – Now, we reach the pre-maintenance phase. You enter this level if you’re only 10 lbs short of your desired weight goal. This means that you’ll still lose some weight in this phase.

  Entering phase three enables you to add extra carbohydrates to your diet, though still on a weekly basis. Eventually, the person using this Atkins diet will reach a point where the loss of weight becomes equal to intake of carbohydrates on any given day. Also, this phase may take months for you to complete. The aim is to let the body adapt to its new weight and lifestyle.

• Phase 4 – Now is the lifetime maintenance phase, and the dieter has to promise himself that he’ll keep a sensible diet plan and also continue to exercise regularly. You will be aware of your daily intake of maximum carbohydrates, and you must maintain that level at all periods. Doing this commitment will always keep your body within 5 lbs of your desired weight.

Beer	Calories per 12-oz bottle
Cerveza Tecate	110
Keystone	122
Busch	133

Thomas Evans