The Atkins diet plan is different from other diets in that it utilizes ketosis to help your body burn fat.
Other diets have you reduce calories for weight loss.
With a reduced calorie diet, some of your weight loss is actually from lean muscle tissue.
These diets slow down your metabolism because you are losing muscle.
It will actually slow down weight loss and make it much easier for you to gain weight in the future.
Atkins is different in that the diet reduces your carbohydrate intake.
This puts your body into ketosis, allowing your body to only burn fat without losing any muscle.
Your body will get energy from ketones.
The liver actually takes fat and turns it into these ketones, and ketones can't turn back into fat.
These ketones are a great energy source for the body.
The liver can only make ketones when there is no glucose or sugar.
This is why the Atkins diet has you intake less sugar and glucose.
Since these are no longer in your bloodstream, your liver will produce ketones to give you energy.
This ketone production is called ketosis.
Some people think that this kind of diet can be harmful, but ketosis is actually very natural.
Your own body is producing these ketones as an energy source since there is no glucose.
Dr.
Atkins mentions the use of ketone test strips to help you figure out the state of ketosis your body is in while on the Atkins diet.
The test strip has a special absorptive pad that uses urine to test the amount of ketones present.
The strip changes colors from pink to purple depending on how many ketones are detected.
These strips are widely available in pharmacies by the diabetic supplies.
Some stores keep them hidden, so if you are having a hard time finding them, just ask.
They don't require a prescription, and are good for 6 months after opening them.
These strips can be very helpful in your diet, and there is no need to worry if you are not finding any.
Some people don't show them, or show very little, and sometimes they will not show up right after exercising.
Even if the strips don't find any ketones, you can still tell that you're doing all right on this diet by how much weight you are losing.
Another thing to note while using these strips is that a darker color does not necessarily mean faster weight loss.
If the strip shows you the darkest color, it is an indication that your body is on the way to dehydration.
Your urine does not have enough water in it, so you need to get hydrated.
Also remember that ketones are converted fat.
If you just ate a high fat meal and use a ketone testing strip right away, it may show you a darker color than it would otherwise.
Remember not to depend on the strips, use them for basic guidance instead.