Dangers?

[island reina]

I keep seeing all kind of articles and things about how Atrkins low carb diet is effective in weight loss, and lowers your risk of diseases, BUT how it's dangerous, because of the ketones thing. How dangerous is this diet in actuality?

[Elizellen]

I don't understand all the science enough to explain it like 2big could but it seems lots of medical people misunderstand the 'ketosis' and think it means the same as 'ketoacidosis' which is dangerous. Here is a link to information about this which is NOT a result of doing Atkins but is a totally different medical complication of diabetes http://www.aafp.org/afp/990800ap/455.html

All of us are in 'ketosis' at some time during the night (I think) whether we are on a highfat/low carb WOE or not. the Atkineer ought it be in 'ketosis' - fatburning mode - when on induction and OWL.

If you have kidney problems Atkins might not be the best woe for you which is why Dr Atkins told us to get our doctor to check us out before we start induction.

[Kent]

The ketones are a natural byproduct of burning fat for fuel, and get processed out by the kidneys. Before Atkins, the body would go into ketosis-like state at night as the glucose would lower. The only dangers with ketones is for patients with weak or damaged kidneys to begin with, and according to the book they are specifically told now to do Atkins. The kidneys are taxed slightly to process out the ketones, but the water in WOL helps process the byproducts.