The War On Fat: Researchers Chew The Fat On Merits Of The Atkins Diet

USA Today ^ | August 7, 2002 | Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY staff writer

[an amused spectator]

The Atkins low-carb, high-fat diet is supposed to be simple, but it's raising complex medical and nutrition questions. Now two new studies show that those who follow the diet can lose significant amounts of weight, but other research is raising concerns about the safety of the program, linking it to an increased risk of kidney stones and bone loss.

[Senator Pardek]

There really is not much that a person can do to reduce their caloric intake substantially without adversely affecting their health, so the only real variable here is the "calorie burning" side of the equation. That's exercise, folks!

Bingo.

The Atkins Diet should be renamed "The Diet For People Who Want To Lose Weight AND Sit On Their Asses".

Atkins works, but I have a more enjoyable way of losing fat when I need to - smoking crack (that works, too).

If folks would just walk three miles an evening instead of soaking in the Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune Power Hour, they'd never have to waste money on diet books.

[Investment Biker]

If folks would just walk three miles an evening instead of soaking in the Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune Power Hour, they'd never have to waste money on diet books.

This is actually contrary to my experience. THe first year I was diagnosed as type 1 diabetic my body fat was low and I was actually measured by the YMCA as having exceptionally low fat content. Some of this was due to diabetic ketoacidosis which causes a wasting of the fat cells and the release of ketone to the blood stream. After my diagnosis I bicycled 10,000 miles in the year following. I ate as they told me to, namely high carbs low fat. DUring that year I gained 10 lbs. despite the exercise. I also gained about the same amount annually with or without exercise. Then I started on the Dr. Bernstein diet of low carbs and exercise. I do not count calories and do not restrict the amount of food consumed. During the first year I lost 80lbs. I will lose the rest shortly. Exercise or no.

[Investment Biker]

Redhead- you are absolutely correct about calories. In fact many items that have calories are non-digestible like a chunk of wood. It would provide no nutrition. The liver does instruct the body to store sugar excess as fat. I would suggest that you read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution an excellent book for people with diabetes.

[Oregon W.oman]

Senator Pardek -
When I was struggling to lose weight on a low fat diet I was exercising 2 full hours a day 6 days a week. I'm happy for you that you have not yet had a problem with properly metabolizing carbohydrates, but for those of us who have - this diet is a godsend. And yes, I still exercise, but now only an hour a day and because it makes me feel good. Eating this way is what has made the difference for me and for many others who have posted here.
You seem like an intelligent individual and I'm sure you can contribute more to this conversation than simply to deliver such a stinging insult to all of us who have bothered to share our positive results with this diet.

[Senator Pardek]

Everyone's metabolism is unique. I'm happy to concede that Atkins is effective for losing weight. However, losing weight" and "becoming healthy" are not mutually inclusive.

The only sure-fire way for long term weight loss is building muscle. Btw - I'm not endorsing a high-carb diet - that's only for marathon runners, IMHO.

P.S. - how many pro athletes use Atkins?

[meyer]

Rolls and Ayoob wonder whether most people who lose weight on the diet will keep the weight off long-term by eating this way. "Do people really want to give up bananas and their favorite fruits?" Ayoob asks.

Adkins diet aside, I don't think giving up "bananas and favorite fruits" is the problem; its giving up "Ben & Jerry's" and the like that might prove more difficult.

[sinkspur]

The Atkins diet has also been referred to as the "caveman" diet. You can get all the food you need on it by shopping around the edges of the supermarket; you never have to go down any of the aisles, with all of the processed foods.

This is the way our ancestors ate. No bread, no starchy carbs, and no sugar.

Why do farmers feed grain to cattle and potatoes to pigs?

And nobody, including kids, needs to drink milk. Ever.

As to which athletes are on Atkins, I'd wager very few. But most of them burn up carbohydrates pretty quickly. But, there are lots of pro football players, especially linemen, who are simply fat and would be stronger and quicker if they lost a few pounds.

Yes, building muscle mass is the best way to lose weight. But, as you know, professional bodybuilders "diet down" to get in shape for competition.

The FIRST thing they do is cut the carbs, especially the starches.

[Oregon W.oman]

I doubt that anyone who posted here about this diet is, or will ever be, a professional athlete. We are just real people with normal lives. I do exercise with weights now, and I agree that building muscle is very good for you. And you should be happy to know that low carb diet books like "Protein Power" recommend exercise with weights in addition to lowering carbohydrate consumption. So now we agree on something.
I obviously do not agree with your assumption that this diet is unhealthy. I am more healthy than I have ever been - and my doctor agrees. I am convinced there is ample evidence out there that this is a very healthy way of eating but I will not attempt to change your mind. I only hope that others who might be interested would do their own homework and make up their own minds. I wish you continued good health.

[Senator Pardek]

Yes, building muscle mass is the best way to lose weight. But, as you know, professional bodybuilders "diet down" to get in shape for competition.

But they're freaks. More than a few take steroids, andro, ephedra, diuretics, etc....

The whole point of getting in shape is not to lose weight, but to feel healthy. For most folks, diet is tertiary, behind cardio workouts and muscle increase to successfully atttain that goal.

Disclaimer - since 9/12/01, I have not done a stitch of exercise and I've eaten whatever I've wanted - recent developments in my life have convinced me to get back on the stick!

[Senator Pardek]

Thank you for the kind words.

[LurkerNoMore!]

I think it comes down to this: There are instances where it would be healthier for an overweight person to follow the lo-carb diet and lose weight than to follow diets that have never worked for them and stay obese.

[redhead]

"I would suggest that you read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution an excellent book for people with diabetes."

I have this wonderful book, and I recommend it MOST higly, even if a person does not have diabetes (I am a reactive hypoglycemic), but just wants to know how all these processes take place.

There are many good and reliable books written on this and related topics, but they are never advertised, because they provide the consumer with a way to wean himself from the food/pharmagiants' "prescribed diet." This is a SYNTHETIC diet of sugars, chemicals, dyes, and flavoring agents with little but particles and essences of natural foods. It is heavily synthesized, refined, processed, and fortified.

The food giants are not in this business to make sure we all stay well. They are in it for PROFIT, and the best way to make a profit is to start with the cheapest raw material (sugar and flour) they can find and purty it up until it looks and tastes like food.

Then their pals, the pharma-giants, get in on the act by making medications designed to treat ONE SYMPTOM AT A TIME (this is another money-maker for them--think about it). Out of 24,000 prescription drugs being prescribed today, not one actually CURES what it is prescribed for. This would be, for the pharma-giants, like killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. Why should they CURE people (and have them stop coming in for their tests/shots/pills, etc.) when they can just make them feel a little better? This way, they keep the patients coming back for years until they die of the complications of the diseases induced by the synthetic diet they are all told to eat.

here is a LINK to a series of book reports on lesser-known books on low-carb diet.

[Senator Pardek]

However, if one runs 4/5/6 miles a day, a low-carb diet is good for achieving hallucinations during the run, without having to ingest the evil carbs in mushroom caps.

[restornu]

I really like somersize is Atkins like but complete for its version for life meaning it you can have proteins/fat & vegs or Carbs & vegs plus fruit for breakefast.


Just NO SUGAR OR SIMPLE STARCH.

IT WORKS AND LIVE ABLE.


http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/specex/msg1110061915674.html


http://groups.msn.com/LetsSomersize

[LurkerNoMore!]

*lol* I'm still waiting to get that 'runner's high'.

[Senator Pardek]

Dear Lord - give me the strength to not respond.

[an amused spectator]

:)

[LurkerNoMore!]

I've come close, but then I see those feds just sittin' and waitin'. (and I have to slow down or risk 20 to life)

[LurkerNoMore!]

not to mention the confiscation of my running shoes

[Senator Pardek]

This is what a lady friend told me - if one senses the cops, one should just put one's hands on one's knees, and breath heavy as if one is petered out.