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Controversy Over the Atkins Diet Essay

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Controversy Over the Atkins Diet

After much research on the Atkins diet, I have come to the conclusion that, although the Atkins diet has its positive aspects, there are far more negative aspects to this diet. The Atkins diet stresses that people reduce their carbohydrate consumption and increase protein and fat consumption, which in turn can potentially lead to many physical problems for people following this diet. Some people are not fully aware of all the potential risks that come a long with following a diet such as the Atkins diet, such as problems stemming from the production of ketones. As with every diet, there are side effects, but at the same time there are several benefits to this diet as well. Before people go on the Atkins…show more content…
After ketones are created they then need to be released through either the mouth or in our urine, which creates bad breath, this release leaves people with a sweet yet pungent odor in their mouth. According to researchers, continuing carbohydrate consumption will cause severe side effects, which can potentially be detrimental to the body.

Not only does the Atkins promote low carbohydrate intake but it promotes consuming foods high in fat and protein as well. Past research has shown that diets such as the Atkins that promote high fat foods is not beneficial for the vascular system. The suggestion for high fat foods provided by the Atkins diet do not parallel what the American Heart Association suggests. The AHA suggests that people should reduce their fat intake to about 30% of their total 2,000 calories a day. But Atkins followers are not going along with this guideline. People are encouraged to consume even more saturated fats, which are found in foods such as meat, which research has shown to be one of the causes for coronary heart disease. Atkins also encourages not only high fat foods but high protein foods as well. It was later discovered that diets that encourage high protein foods causes stress on the kidneys. This is because the kidneys now have to work even harder to break down proteins due to the increase intake of proteins, which can also lead to kidney disease. Along with these side effects, there are other smaller problems that come
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