The Atkins diet allows followers to lose weight quickly by severely restricting carbohydrate intake while encouraging consumption of protein and fat. By keeping carbohydrates very low, usually below 20g per day initially, the diet induces a metabolic state called ketosis which forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. When in ketosis, the body becomes efficient at burning stored fat for fuel leading to weight loss for many who follow the Atkins diet.