The diet Atkins principles laying the groundwork for a more balanced and healthy eating to the standard American diet. Emphasis is placed on the use of good carbohydrates in balance with adequate protein. This is in stark contrast to what most Americans eat on a daily basis. The average American eats a lot of processed foods that have hidden sugars and carbohydrates highly processed. This has enabled most Americans on the road to diabetes and pre-diabetes. What is sad is that diabetes has a series of steps and predictable that they can be easily recognized.

The road to diabetes has to do with what is called the glycemic index. All carbohydrates are quoted on the index with regard to the degree of response of the insulin they produce. Foods that have a high glycemic index rating will cause your pancreas to release a lot insulin to break down the amount of sugars and carbohydrates (which produce large amounts of glucose). Carbohydrates and refined sugars which make up the vast majority of the American diet rank very high on the glycemic index.

We are able to assimilate more easily these foods as children, and our bodies function more effectively in our youth. There may have been secondary effects such as weight gain and mood swings, but not highlighted. As we age, however, these symptoms begin to grow and become more frequent. The nation-wide epidemic of obesity is the result of a diet high in carbohydrates and instability in the levels of blood sugar.

Many people who are overweight are also insulin resistant. Insulin resistance means that the insulin is not doing its job in removing glucose from the blood stream. The pancreas gets over worked and it releases massive amounts of insulin, sometimes 20 times more than the body actually needs. This results in the blood sugar dropping to extremely low levels. This sets off a chain reaction in the body that leads to a release of adrenaline to correct the blood sugar problem.

With age, blood glucose and insulin more difficulties worsened. The condition is known as "hyperinsulinism" and is a precursor to type II diabetes. It is usually accompanied by high blood pressure and high triglycerides. After years of using a diet rich in carbohydrates, you will finally become fully diabetic. Insulin is the principal organ of fat and pounds usually accompany creator too late onset diabetes. Pre-diabetic conditions, if not treated effectively, will lead to diabetes indefinitely.

However, there are easily identifiable warning signs to diabetes that appear early. Your family doctor can perform insulin level tests that will let you know if you are at risk for pre-diabetic conditions, and studies show that low-carb diets like Atkins can help. Controlling your blood sugar is one of the most effective methods to controlling pre-diabetic conditions.

The Atkins diet helps to effectively control blood sugar. The combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates maintain good body satisfied without the roller coaster effect. Controlling the amount of carbohydrates and the type will help limit the peak insulin. This will allow his pancreas work in the way they are meant to be, and that will reduce the likelihood of your development of pre-diabetic conditions. It is a vicious circle which, if unchecked, can lead to diabetes later in life. When the Atkins diet is followed effectively that produces blood sugar stable throughout the day and helps you stay off the road to diabetes.