Regards, Ivan
Posted on 06/28/2004 3:46:13 PM PDT by MadIvan
WOMEN on the Atkins diet while trying to have children may substantially reduce their chances of conceiving, scientists said yesterday.
High-protein diets such as the controversial low-carbohydrate regime can significantly lower pregnancy rates and disrupt the genetic development of embryos, according to research on mice and cows.
It is not certain that the results apply to humans, but fertility experts said that women seeking to become pregnant would be ill-advised to eat as much protein as Atkins devotees consume.
The diet allows followers to eat as much protein and fat as they like. In its “induction” and “weight-loss” phases, menus typically consist of about 35 per cent protein — more than twice the proportion recommended by mainstream nutritionists. This shrinks to about 25 per cent for long-term Atkins users, but the researchers said that even this is too much for would-be mothers, who should stick to 20 per cent.
David Gardner, scientific director of the Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine, who led the mouse research, said: “These findings, together with work carried out in cows, mean that it would be prudent to advise couples who are trying to conceive, either naturally or via assisted reproduction therapy, to ensure that the woman’s protein intake is less than 20 per cent.”
Atkins Nutritionals, the American company behind the diet, said the findings did not prove that it affects fertility. “The study subjects were mice, which are herbivores,” a spokesman said. “Whether or not these findings or effects would apply to humans, who are omnivores, is unknown.”High protein consumption is thought to affect conception and embryo development because of the way food is broken down by the liver. Ammonium is released into the blood, which is known to have negative consequences for the womb and reproductive tract.
In the study, which Dr Gardner presented yesterday at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Berlin, his team fed female mice a diet containing 14 per cent or 25 per cent protein. The mice were mated, and their embryos removed. Some were examined for markers of genetic development, while others were transferred to the wombs of mice on a normal diet. While 85 per cent of the embryos from low-protein mice were implanted and developed into foetuses, only 65 per cent of those from the high-protein mice did so. Of those embryos that implanted, 1 per cent miscarried among low-protein mice, compared with 16 per cent of the high-protein group. The high-protein mice were more likely to produce embryos with genetic abnormalities.
Dr Gardner said some caution was needed before extrapolating the results to humans, as they could deal with higher protein levels. But there probably exists a “protein threshold” of between 20 and 30 per cent. “Mice and cows are more herbivorous than we are, and humans are able to metabolise higher amounts of protein.” Any adverse effects of Atkins-type diets are likely to be restricted to women trying to conceive, rather than those who are pregnant.There is no evidence that high-protein regimes have a lasting effect on female fertility.
THE DIET AND THE DOCTORS
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Thanks, Ivan!
Another natural birth control measure? Or more scaremongering propoganda.
It's the latter. The success of Atkins has provoked those with vested interests in the old diet regimes (carbohydrates).
Oh dear. This won't sit well with the bacon-ators ;).
I don't "do" Atkins simply because it's better for me to do the low-fat diet. health issue. Besides, I can't not eat pasta. It's in my genes.
Yea Yea Yea .. years ago, they said the same thing about drinking coffee
I've got three kids to prove otherwise
Mmm me too. On the coffee, not the 3 kids. We have 2 :)
More bogus scare tactics on the Atkins diet from the people on the left. I don't get what the lefties are so afraid of with Atkins. On one hand they portray middle America as dumb and stupid, but then when they start losing weight, they can't stand that either.
Has the Atkins diet spread across the pond, or are they just adding fuel to the American left's Atkins hatred?
Regards, Ivan
I don't believe it one bit having read many first hand reports of people having fertilty problems finally getting pregnant after going on Aktins. They can manipulate studies all they want, but it won't change the truth.
High-protein diets are harmful to doctor's bottom lines...
Erm, any doctor will tell you that you shouldn't be dieting while trying to conceive anyway. Dieting and weight loss introduce physiological changes into the body that hamper conception no matter WHICH diet you're on, and diet stress in the mother can lead to miscarriage or developmental problems.
Talking on your cell phones + eating bacon = no babies.
Except when they finish the diet and are no longer obese they substantially increase their chances of pregnancy by being more attractive to opposite sex.
Don't make me give up my bagel!
I am not sure they properly understand the Atkins diet. If I am not mistaken, Atkins actually advises eating the proper amount of protein for one's body size. He limits carbohrdrates to an individual's tolerance, and suggests leafy green above ground veggies.
He suggests that the remaining calories be fats, but good fats like olive oil, not hydrogenated chemical mfgr. fats.
Too many people bash the diet without understanding it, really.
I don't get what the lefties are so afraid of with Atkins.
The leftists who hate Atkins are radical vegans. They can't stand the idea that there is no scientific proof that eating meat (protein) is unhealthy, so they make up lies and false studies.
It makes sense, only the article dosen't mention it. When the body goes into ketosis, it "thinks" its starving, even though you just ate a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon!
There may be a mechanism triggered by ketone bodies in the blood that makes it more difficult for a woman to get pregnant. A "starving" woman is not a viable vessel for conception.
Carbs are our friends. Well, in moderation.:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.