Pros
- Many men prefer this diet thanks to hearty foods like steaks and burgers being regular menu items.
- Many people have lost a lot of weight on this plan. It's not unusual for Atkins dieters to peel off around 80 pounds.
- Some Atkins dieters see improvements in cholesterol levels despite the diet's high fat content.
- The diet does not provide enough energy in the form of carbohydrate, so the body is forced to go into ketosis. This causes a great burden on the kidneys. There is not a lot of research available on the long-term effects of this.
- Long-term effects on the heart have also not been studied.
- You'll miss out on vital nutrients supplied by fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This could lead to vitamin deficiencies.
- Low-carb diets such as Atkins can adversely affect calcium levels in the body
- Most Atkins dieters experience constipation, halitosis, and sometimes, dehydration.
- Potential -- but seemingly rare -- complications can include osteoporosis, hypotension, liver and kidney problems, and possible increase in heart disease risk.
