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If you severely restrict carbs, your body goes into a state of ketosis--burning fat with the subsequent production of ketone bodies in the bloodstream. The condition is called "ketonuria" if ketones a
re spilled out into the urine. The result of ketosis is that your blood sugar levels stabilize; your insulin level drops; and because your body is burning fat, you lose weight!
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Tips for Low Carb Diet
-Avoiding alcohol if youˇ¦re trying to lose body fat. Drinking only in moderation if youˇ¦re trying to maintain your weight and be healthy.
-Adjusting your approach accordin
g to your health status, your goals and your body type, not according to generalizations preached by dogmatic diet ˇ§gurus.ˇ¨
-Studying the physiology and biochemistry of the low carb diet and comple
tely understanding all the pros and cons. Then making an informed decision whether to restrict carbs based on your own personal goals, needs and heath status.
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According to many experts, most overweight people became overweight due to a condition called hyperinsulinemia -- elevated insulin levels in the blood. When you eat a high-carbohydrate meal, the incre
ased blood sugar stimulates insulin production by the pancreas. It causes fat to be deposited, and it stimulates your brain to produce hunger signals. You eat more carbohydrates, and the cycle repeats
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-Restricting the intake of carbohydrates puts a halt to this vicious cycle. When you restrict your carbohydrate intake, your insulin levels decrease and the levels of glucagon increase. Glucagon
is a hormone that causes body fat to be burned and cholesterol to be removed from deposits in the arteries
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Many, many folks are finding that low carb eating is a lot easier than they ever thought it could be... once you get past the initial week or so, your appetite decreases, your energy increases, and -
well, the weight comes off! Can we guarantee a low carb lifestlye will work for you? Nope. But we can guarantee that others have done it - and that we'll be here to support you if you and your doctor
decide that a low carb diet might be for you!
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The most widely used low-carbohydrate diet is the one advocated by the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D., of New York City. His 1972 book Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution sold millions of copies within the first
two years. His 1992 update, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, has sold even more. The current plan has four steps: a 2-week "induction" period, during which the goal is to reduce carbohydrate intake t
o under 20 grams per day, and three periods during which carbohydrate intake is progressively raised but kept below what Atkins calls "your critical carbohydrate level" for losing or maintaining weigh
t [1]. The dieter is permitted to eat unlimited amounts of noncarbohydrate foods "when hungry," but ketosis tends to suppress appetite.
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Follow the Rules!
-Induction is a very important phase of the Atkins plan. You should consult the Atkins book (Chapter 11) and read this portion very carefully before you begin to attempt the induc
tion process. There are 12 rules that you are to follow carefully during these first 14 days.
-Dr. Atkins warns "[Induction] must be followed precisely... If you do it at all incorrectly you may p
revent weight loss..." (Atkins, 122).
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