Thread: Why is 20 carbs the limit on induction

I read the book but it doesn't clearly say why the 20 carb limit on induction. If someone has gone from normally eating 150 grams per day and limits their intake to 30 shouldn't that be equally effecive. I am not sure why Dr Adkins came up with the 20 grams figure.

I think that was just the number that Dr, Atkins found produced the best results on his plan. Way back when I was doing Protein power I ate 30 carbs per day throughout the diet. No induction and no increasing carbs. Both plans worked for me.

Rob
310/234.5/180

Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof.

My understanding of Dr. Atkins' theory is that 20 carbs per day is low enough to get nearly everyone into ketosis. People who do not reach ketosis at that low level are extremely metabolically resistant. Part of the purpose of induction is to find your personal level of metabolic resistance (low, medium, high, extreme - there's a chart in the book), which helps determine each person's best carb level for ongoing weight loss. Also, this very low carb level gives many people dramatic results at first, and we all know the benefits of that.

As you suggest, most people will lose weight by simply lowering their carb intake from its current level, assuming they don't make up for it by eating way too much overall. But Dr. Atkins' approach is designed to alter our metabolic pathways, and ketosis is a necessary part of that change-over. People with low metabolic resistance may well reach ketosis at 30 or more carbs per day. It's really an individual thing, but 20 carbs per day is the point at which virtually everyone should hit it.

Hope this helps ~

Sky
Atkins since 8/03
186/144/under 150

Another reason for limiting the carbs to 20g. daily, ketosis will rid one of cravings, thus helping overcome past food addictions. Ketosis also ensures there are no hunger pangs and your body will be using fat stores for fuel.

Take care~
Susan

LCE Member since 01/02

I'm pretty sure that Atkins in his books suggests that 20 carbs can even be too HIGH for some people who are very "metabolically resistant."

I think the 20 carbs number was just a good starting number. If you've never low-carbed before, 30 or 40 carbs a day might work just fine. The idea with starting at 20 was to get you into ketosis so you could then gradually work your carb levels back up to just below the critical point at which you tend to fall out of ketosis, and that level is different for everybody.

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"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."