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Anyone who’s planning to loose some weight should be familiar with the unpleasant side effects which can occur with the Atkins diet. The research has shown that burning fat results in the production of substances called ketones as a body enters a state called ketosis. This can result in:
- bad breath,
- tiredness,
- weakness,
- dizziness,
- insomnia
- nausea
Constipation may also occur as a consequence of avoiding typically high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, wholegrain breakfast cereals and jacket potatoes.
Long term side effects
When it comes to long-term side effects, many experts are concerned that the Atkins diet may cause serious damage. First, the high intake of fat may increase the risk of heart disease. There are also concerns that the unbalanced nature of the Atkins diet may lead to nutritional deficiencies, which cause health problems in later life. For example poor intakes of bone-building calcium may increase the risk of osteoporosis, while poor intakes of antioxidant nutrients have been linked with a host of health problems ranging from heart disease and cancer to premature ageing and cataracts.
Some experts are also worried that high intakes of protein may cause kidney problems or weaken bones.
Success rate
Many people are interested to hear more about success rate but the fact is that precise numbers are difficult to come by. Some recent studies have shown that after a few months of Atkins, people tend to lose about twice as much weight as they would on the standard low-fat, high-carbohydrate approach recommended by most health organizations.