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.

[an amused spectator]

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

http://www.idfa.org/news/gotmilk/2002/jama.htm

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL DAIRY COUNCIL
For Immediate Release

For more information, please contact:
Nutrition and Health News Bureau, 312/988-2494
E-mail: ndc@webershandwick.com

GOT MILK? GET GOOD HEALTH
New JAMA Study Shows Milk, Cheese and Yogurt May Help Prevent
Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes and Heart Disease

ROSEMONT, IL., April 23, 2002 - A new study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that young adults who consume more dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, may be less likely to become obese and develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These findings are consistent with a growing body of research that demonstrates dairy's role in reducing the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.

The multi-center epidemiological study examined the correlation between dairy intake and Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS), a condition many Americans don't know much about, but which may affect about one in four adults. IRS occurs when the body's cells are resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas - which means blood sugar is not properly controlled and the body may compensate by trying to produce even more insulin. Studies indicate that IRS may increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

The researchers looked at the eating patterns of 3,157 African American and Caucasian young adults, both male and female over a 10-year period. Two comprehensive food intake reports were averaged - one taken at the start of the study and one taken seven years later - to determine participants' habitual intake of dairy foods.

The results showed that individuals who consumed more dairy products had a lower risk of developing IRS and were less likely to be obese and have high blood pressure. While overweight individuals typically consumed fewer dairy products than their normal-weight counterparts, those who consumed the most dairy products had a two-thirds lower incidence of IRS than those who consumed the fewest dairy products. In addition, those who consumed more dairy foods were more likely to have healthier eating habits overall with higher intakes of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lower intakes of sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

Nutrient Package May Play a Role

While the researchers were unable to explain how dairy foods impact IRS, they speculate that several components, such as calcium, lactose or protein, may play a role. Additionally, they note that dairy foods are more filling than other foods and beverages, which may help minimize the likelihood of overeating. Finally, the researchers refer to the growing body of research that links dairy food consumption to body weight regulation and reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Specifically, the DASH studies (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) funded by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, have shown the including at least three servings of lowfat dairy foods and 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables in the diet provides heart-healthy benefits including lowering blood pressure.

"We've known for some time that adding more dairy foods, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, may help reduce the risk of, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and possibly even colon cancer," said Deanna Rose, a registered dietitian for the National Dairy Council. "Now we can add to that list the important role dairy foods may play in helping control weight and reducing the risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes."

Rose offers the following tips to help consumers sneak more milk and dairy foods into the diet.

• Fruit for Thought - Try one of the new milk drinks - they come in fun flavors like banana, strawberry or even peanut butter!
• Cheese Please - Wake up your favorite vegetable or baked potato by topping it with shredded cheese.
• Snack Right - Mix lowfat or fat free yogurt, fruit and lowfat granola for a crunchy treat.
• Java Junkie - If you're a java junkie, make sure to lap up a latte instead of a regular old black coffee.

Source: Pereira, M.A. et al. Dairy Consumption, Obesity, and the Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Young Adults. JAMA 2002; 287: 2081-2089.

###

The National Dairy Council® was founded in 1915 and conducts nutrition education and nutrition research programs through national, state and regional Dairy Council organizations, on behalf of America's dairy farmers.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE: To schedule interviews, call 312/988-2494

• Deanna Rose, R.D., National Dairy Council

[an amused spectator]

National Publication Highlights Link Between Dairy and Weight Loss, 7/2002
In its July 2002 issue, Reader's Digest highlights new clinical research that shows dairy can play an important role in weight loss. Dr. Michael Zemel, chairman of the nutrition department at the University of Tennessee, found that dieters that included dairy lost about 70% more weight than those who shunned dairy in their diet plans. What's more, the high-dairy group lost 64% more body fat -- and the type of fat they shed was the most threatening to heart health. "This isn't a new food fad; this is science," writes reporter Lisa Davis. "Contrary to dieter's dogma, dairy can supercharge almost any diet." The article also offers several tips on how to incorporate dairy into the diet throughout the day. The Reader's Digest story is not yet available online, but can be found in the print edition of the magazine on newsstands now, under the headline "Shed Pounds with this Everyday Food."

[LurkerNoMore!]

lol, but that probably kills the buzz

[Guillermo]

Well, eating less + exercising more = lose weight.

All these "eat whatever you want, and as much as you want" diets are a bunch of crap, imo.

[sinkspur]

Cheese has no carbohydrates or sugars.

A glass of 1% milk has 12 carbs, all of it sugar.

Eat the cheese, ditch the milk.

[Itzlzha]

So much of this diet stuff is a lot of crap. There is only one way to lose weight (without surgery, of course) -- you simply have to burn more calories than you consume, regardless of your intake of carbohydrates, fat, etc. 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!

Having said that, it is possible that a low-carbohydrate diet helps you to lose weight by increasing your body's metabolism, which means you burn more calories sitting at your desk or sleeping at night than you might burn with a high-carbohydrate diet.

Do the research...the high-carb diet coincides with the Agro push for corn and other related products. 6-10 servings of grains a day?!?! C'mon, the studies on saccharin were a joke, just like the "food pyramid"!

Check your food at the store...look at the proliferation of corn syrup...even in items that DON'T NEED IT!

This also coincides with the increase in Type II diabetes, now being found in CHILDREN!

Think about it...we are the strongest, most prosperous Nation in the History of the world...and NOW the Government wants us to switch to an "agragian" Third-World diet?

Talk about keeping the masses fat, dumb and happy...

All part of the "Bread and Circuses" plan ...

[SauronOfMordor]

A natural diet consisting of mostly meats (with their attached fats) and vegetables is the way humans have eaten forever. If breads and sugars were natural foods, the metabolism would have no problem handling them. But as it is, a shot of sugar/flour spikes insulin (this includes today's luscious, hyper-fructose fruits), which in turn drives down blood sugar and causes lethargy and confusion quickly.

My middle daughter (now 8) was having a lot of trouble in kindergarden and 1st grade, to the point that the school wanted us to give her Ritalin. Around the middle of the day, she would start acting up. Any stress or annoyance would put her into hysterics. I'm talking about uncontrollable hysterical crying fits lasting 20 minutes or more, until she collapsed into a nap.

I took her out of school and homeschooled her (we were doing homeschooling with the eldest), and I started doing some research. Turns out she's hypoglycemic -- her blood-sugar level, unless managed, would drift too low for proper brain functioning. She was getting a morning breakfast which was high-carb (pancakes, frozen waffles, corn flakes, whatever). Food made from flour and sugar is digested quickly, sending the blood-sugar soaring, followed by a crash a couple of hours later

I switched her to a high-protein/fat breakfast (chicken patty with melted cheese, microwave some frozen meatballs, etc). The protein and fat are digested slowly, keeping her blood-sugar level over a longer period. Now she's perfectly fine. We still have to make sure she gets a good lunch, and a snack around 3-4 to tide her over til dinner, but no more hysterics and acting up (or at least not more acting up than is usual for a girl her age)

[Dubya]

This one works really good for me. Been using it for a few years now for weight control.
Guess I could stand to start losing about 10 lbs. though.

[Itzlzha]

Chocolate?Miss it on Atkins?

Also, look for a product called "Carbolite". It uses Splenda as the sweetener, and the MOST carb-y bar is the Chocolate almond bar at 0.37 carb per serving, 7 servings per bar! Milk, Dark, Peanut Butter, Krispy are also available.

I know they are avaialable online (WAY too expensive), and my local Trader Joe's carries them a LOT cheaper than any other store I know!

I am a chocolate snob, and always aye the BEST (Calebeaut, Valrohna, el Rey, and the totally YUMMY Kona Hawaiian chocolate)...this product TASTES GOOD...good enough to use every day!

A lifesaver for all chocoholics!

[Itzlzha]

Get rid of the tomatoes and pickles too.

WRONG! The kosher dills are LEGAL, and a slice of tomato will NOT blow the 20 gram carb/day initial factor!

A whole tomato at 2.6" in diameter is 5.8 carb. KETCHUP at 1 tablespoon is 3.8 carb...thanks to that CORN SYRUP it uses (stick with mustards and non-corn sweetened Mayo). 10 dill pickle chips is 1 carb!

Besides, without the bun, you can have 2 burgers, without the stuffed feeling, or the carb bloat and gas...or that dulled senses and thought process feeling after you eat carbs.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

All these "eat whatever you want, and as much as you want" diets are a bunch of crap, imo.

What diet is that?

[Dianna]

Cheese actually has about 1 carb per ounce. It is restricted on Atkins to 3-4 ounces daily.

[Quix]

BUMP for a potential argument with my food-science & nutrition expert friend.

[SamAdams76]

WRONG! The kosher dills are LEGAL, and a slice of tomato will NOT blow the 20 gram carb/day initial factor! A whole tomato at 2.6" in diameter is 5.8 carb. KETCHUP at 1 tablespoon is 3.8 carb...thanks to that CORN SYRUP it uses (stick with mustards and non-corn sweetened Mayo). 10 dill pickle chips is 1 carb!

Good grief! My head is already spinning and we haven't even gotten to the beef. No offense intended, but it would be living hell for me if I had to keep track of such things as the circumference of my tomato slices so that I could calculate the carbohydrates to subtract from my 20 gram daily allowance. Let me grab another beer while I contemplate all of this...let's see, 3.2 carbs...120 calories...

Good grief!

[Guillermo]

Atkins, which says you can eat as much as you want, as long as you avoid carbs.

Sugar Busters is the same thing, as long as you avoid starch and sugar.

On the way home tonight, I heard on the radio an ad for a diet pill that claimed you could eat anything you wanted, as much of it, etc, and still lose weight.

Everyone is always looking for an easy way out.

Just eat less and exercise more, you will lose weight.

[PhilipFreneau]

I have been on the Atkins diet for 7 months, and I have (steadily) lost 26 pounds. Besides the traditional Atkins foods (e.g., steak, seafood, chicken, butter, cheese, eggs, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, etc.), I eat a few ounces of blueberries or strawberries every day. I pour 4 ounces of heavy cream on them, and sprinkle a little Splenda on top. Very nice. Almost forgot: I drink 4 ounces of red wine (Merlot) almost every day. I also take vitamins and a few other supplements.

My exercise consists of yard work, lots of golf, and walking to and from the train station. At 53, my pulse is under 60, my BP is 110/60, and my general health is good. Before Atkins, I was on a Doctor prescribed diet that nearly turned me into a diabetic, while making me overweight, lethargic, and continually hungry. Worse, my cholesterol had zoomed to the point that the good Doctor wanted me to go on medication. Since starting Atkins, my total cholesterol has dropped over 100 points (275 to about 170). Better, I have tons of energy -- I can hit several hundred golf balls at the range without breaking a sweat. Even better, my joints no longer ache (my wife believes I may have a 'gluten' intolerance, whatever that is.). In any case, the Atkins diet has been great for me. If complications arise down the road, I can, at least, say that for years I avoided diabetes, eliminated high cholesterol and its complications, eliminated joint pain, and my golf game improved.

No offense to the anti-Atkins crowd, but you folks need to get a life. If you believe in your diet, stick to it. But get off your soapbox. It make you look stupid.

[meyer]

I'm glad to hear that its working for you. I know of others that have had good results with Atkins so I most definately won't argue against it.

I'm no dietician, but I would always recommend avoiding refined sugar and refined sweetners including corn syrup as well as refined flours and such. If nothing else, it concentrates the calories into easily-digestable compact little pieces that can add a ton of calories to a diet without one even knowing it. Look at it this way: A 1.5 ounce candy bar carries around 200-250 calories while a 3-4 ounce apple has around 80. Plus, it takes more effort to digest the apple. So which is better for you if you're trying to lose weight?

[Alberta's Child]

Those are all valid points, but the start of the high-carb diet (around the early 1980s) also coincides with things like a massive increase in the numbers of "latch-key children" and "day-care children," the development of the video game industry, vicarious entertainment as an end unto itself, etc.

Kids aren't just fat slobs because of a high-carb diet -- they're fat slobs because they have a high-carb diet and don't do anything.

[meyer]

Kids aren't just fat slobs because of a high-carb diet -- they're fat slobs because they have a high-carb diet and don't do anything.

There's a good deal of truth to what you say. I know that kids still play, but I don't think they get nearly as much physical activity as we did in my younger years. I'd be curious to see a comparison of fitness levels between "gang-banger" type youth as compared to "video-game potato" type youth. I'd suspect that the bangers are more fit due to their being active. In comparison, the kids that spend a great deal of time playing video games and little time physically playing will tend to be soft, and often carry an inordinate amount of body fat even if they don't always appear overweight.

In fact, I suspect that there's a larger correlation between physical activity and obesity than between diet and obesity. Just a suspicion of mine, I offer no proof.

[Sam Cree]

I notice that both camps support their arguments with convincing studies. I've tried both disciplines, though, so my opinion is based on personal experience more than anything else.

I followed a low fat diet for many years, perhaps 15 or so. This fall I switched to a low carb diet (Eades, more or less) that does not limit fat and the difference was shocking. Not only did I maintain my desired weight much more easily on low carb, I began to feel years younger. And after a year on low carb, my lab results were the best ever.

The main reason I'm motivated by the low carb diet is not the weight loss, it's the joy of feeling so good. Because of the stunning difference in the way I feel, I'm totally convinced that fat restriction is unhealthy. I didn't know how bad it was making me feel until I got off of it.

BTW, I believe many athletes do recognize the necessity of eating plenty of protein.