Diet Problem » Atkins Diet Plan http://dietproblem.com Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:27:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Atkins Diet Plan http://dietproblem.com/2008/12/14/low-carb-diet-may-impair-mental-performane/ http://dietproblem.com/2008/12/14/low-carb-diet-may-impair-mental-performane/#comments Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:47:40 +0000 admin http://dietproblem.com/?p=96 Does Atkins Diet Plan Impair Memory?

Tufts University in Boston has concluded that those who follow a low carbohydrate diet experience a decline in mental performance. The University study involved women who were either put on a reduced carb diet like the Atkins Diet Plan or those who  ate normally in a control group.

The results were that those on Atkins style plans showed lower scores in mental testing with immediate and gradual declines over the length of the study that looked at long-term and short-term memory, visual attention and spatial memory. The results maybe due to lower levels of glucose that the brains nerve cells require to function optimally.

Lead researcher Dr Holly Taylor said:

“The study demonstrates that the food you eat can have an immediate impact on cognitive behaviour.

“The popular low-carb and no-carb diets have the strongest potential for negative impact on thinking and cognition.” She added: “Although this study only tracked participants for three weeks, the data suggests that diets can affect more than just weight.

“The brain needs glucose for energy, and diets low in carbohydrates can be detrimental to learning, memory and thinking.”

You might want to reconsider going on that low carb diet if your a student about to face those big exams or perhaps they might be causing your recent low test scores.  Your job performance could also drop if it relies heavily on your mental sharpness.

]]> http://dietproblem.com/2008/12/14/low-carb-diet-may-impair-mental-performane/feed/ 0 The Atkins Diet Plan http://dietproblem.com/2008/03/10/the-atkins-diet-plan/ http://dietproblem.com/2008/03/10/the-atkins-diet-plan/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:19:58 +0000 admin http://dietproblem.com/?p=3 The Atkins Diet Plan became popular thanks to the work of the late Dr. Robert Atkins and his books. Dr. Atkins fought a uphill battle to get his beliefs accepted by the medical community. Despite the fact that thousands have used the Atkins diet plan to lose weight the medical community remains divided as to whether or not the plan has a negative impact on long term health. The Dean Ornish Diet is more accepted by the mainstream medical community.

Despite the reservations by some his methods are proven by the thousands who have followed his methods and not only lost weight but kept it off. The biggest reason for Atkins popularity is that it allows you to eat a wide selection of foods. The Atkins diet calls for the elimination of refined carbohydrates, sugar, white flour, trans fats and junk foods. Some carbs are allowed as well as good fats but the diet is largely protein based.

The Atkins plan follows fours stages and should include a moderate exercise program designed for ones overall health

Atkins Diet Plan-Four Stages

  1. Induction:First phase and the most restrictive
  2. On Going Weight Loss: Slightly less restrictive in terms of carb intake
  3. Pre-maintenance: The goal of this level is to determine correct carb intake, without gaining weight.
  4. Maintenance: Requires you to carry on lessons learned in previous phases and drop back a level if you gain weight.

Hits: Good track record, Easy less restrictive food choices, Wealth of information to be found on it.

Misses: Possible long term health problems? No support like group programs.
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