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I am quite familiar with Ketogenic Diets. For those who want more science and less hype, I suggest "The Ketogenic Diet: A Complete Guide for the Dieter and Practitioner" by Lyle McDonald. The book does a very thorough job of explaining exactly what is happening metabolically. While it is primarily written for the athlete (body builder), it is quite good. I personally feel that it is very important to understand what is going on and to have a very factual basis for evaluating the multitude of conflicting OPINIONS you will receive, many of which are based on nothing more than heresay or "popular" yet incorrect knowledge.

Be prepared for constipation and take measures to relieve it. You may need a sugar free fiber substitute. I have found that higher doses of MSM helps promote bowel movements too. Nobody has mentioned drinking tons of water yet, which will also help.

Definitely take your supplements (they don't have to be Atkins - a very good broad spectrum multi-vitamin / multi-mineral supplement plus addition minerals as mentioned by others).

I once tried to do this with zero carbs for a week once in combination with heavy ephedrine / caffeine / aspirin as an experiment. Oops! By the end of the week, I was experiencing severe Adrenal Fatigue. I personally believe that your carbs should be around 50 grams and no less to avoid oversuppression of Thyroid as well. This, in combination with thinking Atkins is a one time thing is what causes many people to regain the weight. You can't just go back to doing what you were previously doing when you are done. You are never done. Those that don't understand this are not doing Atkins, so their criticism is for THEIR personal version of a temporary diet rather than the Atkins Diet.

Too little protein will casue lean tissue loss. This will contribute to weight gain when you add back carbs. You must prevent muscle wasting by insuring you are getting adequate amounts of protein.

As a long-time defender of Atkins / Ketogenic diets, I am coming to the conclusion that most of us who try it recognize some sort of impaired glucose metabolism. Thus, the real solution is to simply eliminate simply sugars once and for all. Atkins may help prepare for this eventuality better than trying to eliminate the simple sugars without first inducing ketosis by eliminating virtually all sugars. Personally, I am finding the most satisfaction, success and health gains by merely inducing ketosis for a week and then slowing adding back complex carbs and leaving out the simple sugars. If you find that you regress bact to eating white flour or sugar, it is easier to eliminate the cravings by doing the induction diet than it is to try weaning them off while maintaining the complex carbs.

I am quite familiar with Ketogenic Diets. For those who want more science and less hype, I suggest "The Ketogenic Diet: A Complete Guide for the Dieter and Practitioner" by Lyle McDonald.

A bump for my buddy Lyle (I helped him form the original Low-Carb-Exercize list, when it split off of the original Low-Carb mailing list). He is definately the expert in respect to ketogenic diets.

Funny thing though, if you still follow him, he has sorta changed his mind. While he still believes the ketogenic diets are workable and do some good things, he no longer thinks they are that much different than any regular hypocaloric diet. The only advantage he sees now is the appetite supression of ketosis.