Is this starting to look like a quack rant or what?
You know I don't think there would be any lack of volunteers for a multi year study in which half get generous rations of steak and eggs, and half get to eat what is today considered a "balanced diet," if the food is furnished free. It shouldn't be that hard to hide the results. One thing which is not pointed out here is any connection to activity levels and/or exercise and/or overall weight (high fat tends to be high calorie, and saturated fat seems to be the easiest fat to get). And how about other nasties suspected, such as increased cancer rates for the susceptible. How about the "brown fat" and other genetic connections for some peoples with a high meat diet (e.g. the Eskimos), which makes them able to burn off more calories, and perhaps to deal with saturated fats better. This rant sounds like the data cherry pick it complains about itself.
Everyone seems to agree that a reasonable amount of exercise can only be good for you, and that total abstinence from exercise is not recommended.
As for weight loss/maintenance, the scientific evidence is irrefutable: it's solely a function of the calories consumed less the calories burned. This has been confirmed by numerous experiments. The advantage that fat calories have over carbohydrate calories is that they are more satisfying, and help you "feel full" longer. The evidence also shows that eating both fat and high fiber (low glycemic index) carbohydrates together results in the best and longest lasting feeling of satiety. Obviously, the less calories required to feel satisfied, the easier it will be to lose or maintain weight.
And how about other nasties suspected, such as increased cancer rates for the susceptible.
The evidence is quite clear that neither aturated fat nor monounsaturated are culprits when it comes to cancer. The reverse is true for polyunsaturated fats.
However, it may be that the chemicals formed when meat is cooked in certain ways cause cancer.
How about the "brown fat" and other genetic connections for some peoples with a high meat diet (e.g. the Eskimos), which makes them able to burn off more calories, and perhaps to deal with saturated fats better.
Anaerobic exercise (weight training) builds brown fat.
This rant sounds like the data cherry pick it complains about itself.
All information is always suspect. No theory or belief can ever be proven to be absolutely true, and is always subject to criticism and disproof. The best that can be done is to make one's best approximation based on the evidence currently available, but to also realize that revisions may be necessary in the future.
You did read this, right?
For those who follow this stuff, Atkins has been criticized for a long time for not providing enough studies to support his data. He has been saying recently that those studies are coming and his critics will finally be silenced. This book looks like a step in that direction. I will read if for sure. I'm glad this was posted. Bump!