The Atkins diet is one of the most famous and controversial diets out there, because of its severe rules and because of the damages that it can do to your health if you are not very careful. Briefly, the Atkins diet is based on eating almost exclusively proteins, while reducing carbs to a minimum, at least in Atkins Stage 1, which is the toughest part of this weight loss program.

While almost all overweight persons who tried the Atkins diet were successful at losing a lot of pounds, many of them reported unpleasant side effects like halitosis, which is the scientific term for bad breath, or ketosis, which has to do with the kidneys and the urinary system.

Such manifestations made them quit the diet before succeeding to stabilize it and turn the new nutrition way into a lifestyle. This is why a visit to the doctor is a must prior to any diet attempt, especially if it is such a dis-balanced and dangerous one like the Atkins diet.