Effects of High Blood Sugar Levels on Atkins Diet

High protein, low carb eating plans like the Atkins diet are well known for helping folks to lose weight quickly.   They are also often considered to be the types of plans that increase the risks of high cholesterol, heart disease and erratic or high blood sugar levels, but the Atkins diet can in fact increase triclycerides and cut down blood glucose. 

The Atkins diet can significantly lower high blood sugar levels and reduce the need for sugar in the diet.  Diabetics must consult a doctor throughout the time that they use the Atkins diet, because it can have a major effect on their high blood sugar levels.  Some people have claimed that the Atkins diet can balance high blood sugar levels in diabetics but that is as yet unproven.

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, is often viewed as a step on the road to diabetes, but other causes of high blood sugar include eating large amounts of sugar or food and the presence of an infection or illness.  Sometimes few symptoms are actually present with this condition, but many times symptoms tend to include blurry vision, fatigue, weight loss, increased appetite and excessive thirst.  High blood sugar levels are a good indicator of heart disease risk, and that is one of the reasons why the effects of the Atkins diet on high blood sugar levels is so beneficial.

Can the Atkins Diet Cause High Blood Sugar Levels?

Generally speaking, the Atkins diet does not cause high blood sugar levels.  However, the reason people undertake the Atkins diet is because they are overweight and need to shed some of this excess weight.  According to Dr. Atkins, this weight gain is caused by over consumption of carbohydrates and sugars.  When this happens, our bodies realize that the amount of sugar in the body is too high.  Insulin is produced to gather the sugar and store it, but there is a limit to the amount that can be stored.  Upon reaching the limit, the sugar is saved as a fat source.  Continuous overeating can mean that the body becomes resistant to this process, storing even more fat by burning carbohydrates for energy.  This results in low blood sugar or high blood sugar levels. 

The best remedy for insulin resistance is a low carb diet such as Atkins, because it restricts the carb intake and allows the body to continue burning fat as an energy source.  This can raise blood sugar levels, and in most cases it raises them to a healthier level rather than cause another type of medical problem.  Therefore, the Atkins diet can cause high blood sugar levels, but it generally raises the levels of people with low blood sugar levels which is a beneficial action.