ATKINS ALERT

THE DAILY RECORD ^ | Aug 13 2003 | Keith Mcleod

[carlo3b]

News
ATKINS ALERT

Aug 13 2003

Diet followers at risk, says expert

Keith Mcleod

SLIMMERS following the controversial Atkins diet are gambling with their health, a nutrition expert has warned.

Dr Susan Jebb said it would be "negligent" to recommend the diet, favoured by stars such as Geri Halliwell and Catherine Zeta-Jones, to anyone overweight.

Millions of people around the world have tried the low-carbohydrate, high-protein regime.

But Dr Jebb, of the Medical Research Council's Human Nutrition Research Centre in Cambridge, said its claimed benefits were based on "pseudo-science".

She argued that, despite a number of studies, no one knew what the long- term effects might be.

Dr Robert Atkins, who developed the diet, believed that carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables made the body produce too much insulin.

He claimed that led to hunger and weight gain.

His answer was to avoid such foods and eat unlimited amounts of fat and protein, leading the body to burn fat.

But Dr Jebb said such a dramatic change in eating habits was a leap in the dark.

For most people, protein accounts for a mere 15 per cent of their calorie intake. But much higher levels are eaten on the Atkins diet.

Dr Jebb said: "We simply do not know the long-term health implications.

"I certainly think we should be adopting a precautionary principle in terms of public health."

Her warning comes two months after two teams of American scientists declared the Atkins diet was effective and safe.

They found that over six months, 63 Atkins slimmers lost almost twice as much weight, an average of one and a half stone.

After a year, the gap had closed though, with the Atkins dieters down to an average weight loss of a stone compared with half a stone for others.

But Dr Jebb said the studies were too limited to provide meaningful evidence.

Dr Atkins died in April, aged 72, after slipping on ice outside his New York office and hitting his head.

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[carlo3b]

I report, you decide...

[PianoMan]

Please pull this from Breaking News.

[Hugin]

No evidence, no looking at the results of millions who have followed the Atkins diet. Just one doc's opinion that maybe it might somehow be bad for you.

[Young Rhino]

I'll take the weight loss...the "doc" can stick to her findings.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

She argued that, despite a number of studies, no one knew what the long- term effects might be.

Translation: don't confuse me with the facts, my mind's made up.

[Chewbacca]

I bet she is out trying to sell a new diet plan book and make herself money.

[Mo1]

Dr Jebb said: "We simply do not know the long-term health implications

Gee what are the health implications for over weight people .. I'm not a doctor, but I think losing a few pounds might be better

[carlo3b]

Nobody has asked me recently but that hasn't held me back before...ha!  I just don't know what's true in this case. My culinary, and nutritional training and years of experience says... BE VERY CAREFUL THIS COULD BACKFIRE.
However, I have seen the results and I must admit, it works, and could be a major breakthrough..  I'm like everyone else.. I just don't know! I would much prefer to advise you that a brief, daily, ordinary aerobic exercise routine, would have the same results with the added benefit of a cardiovascular improvement, that would serve you so much more throughout your life.

[Revenge Of Daffy-Duck]

Oh my God! Thank goodness she spoke out! An article like this really forces you to stop and thinZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

[Myrddin]

its claimed benefits were based on "pseudo-science".

She argued that, despite a number of studies, no one knew what the long- term effects might be.

But Dr Jebb said such a dramatic change in eating habits was a leap in the dark.

Dr Jebb said: "We simply do not know the long-term health implications.

But Dr Jebb said the studies were too limited to provide meaningful evidence.

She offers absolutely no scientific evidence to support her position. Every statement is designed to cast doubt without any reasoned argument for WHY you should doubt. Why do journalists give people like this any credible attention?

[carlo3b]

Relax my friend, this is a bigger topic than the Iraqi War to most folks around here.. It won't hurt to sit back and watch, and untangle your britches..

[At _War_With_Liberals]

I used to follow the latest medical articles, developments, was into supplements, diets, new drugs, etc.

Then I realized most of it was bullsheet designed to garner the almighty dollar in different ways. My grandfather, now 92, never went for any of this. He only believed in going to the doctor when very ill. He ate well, lived a clean life, and thats it.

He made me realize that we are obsessed with our bodies and our health. I now follow my grandfather's example.

[carlo3b]

I bet she is out trying to sell a new diet plan book and make herself money.

BINGO, you may have hit on something there..

[Ditter]

2 weeks ago I finally convinced my Type 2 diabetes affilicted husband to cut way back on his carbs. He has lost 10 lbs & his blood sugar is under much better control. He has been able to cut back on his diabetes medicine. Before this his Dr was talking about injectable insulin. Carbs were killing him.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

What has this looney woman put forth other than "we should be careful". Her quotes are like something out of a 1970's American Medical Association conference. Dr. A has proved them all wrong. She needs to get with the program.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

"2 weeks ago I finally convinced my Type 2 diabetes affilicted husband to cut way back on his carbs. He has lost 10 lbs & his blood sugar is under much better control. "

I wish everyone with your husband's condition would try this diet for 2 weeks. God, diabetics have to invest so much time with their limited dietary choices already. I am sure the Atkins diet would be much more simple to implement.

[carlo3b]

Your story is all too familiar. I have seen a dear friend discontinue his almost daily shots, and is now just monitoring his levels with a new simple home tester. Dr Atkins has proved something else.. that there is a lot we really don't know about medicine or nutrition.

[jennyp]

Wow, that's great news! I don't know if you were on this thread, but the American Diabetes Association would rather he ate carbs, carbs, & more carbs. (i.e. ignore your lyin' eyes...)

[nmh]

"Dr Jebb said: "We simply do not know the long-term health implications."

Well doc, let me fill you in. ANYone I know that has stuck to the Atkins diet is as fit as a fiddle and doesn't need doctor visits beyond the yearly physical. Nah, can't scare me and the others into loading up on fatening carbs ans raising insulin levels so I can be a patient for water pills, weight reduction surgery (Liposuction), joing the diebetic (sp) crowd or any other ailment advertised.

You know doc, I wish you were as cautious in DRUGS you guys PUSH. ALL the synthetic drugs you push damage the liver and kidneys yet you are SILENT on the long term effects you KNOW will happen. Doc when you actually start adreessing the ROOT problem of a health problem, THEN I'll take your self serving advice seriously. Till then, I'd highly recommend the Atkins diet because it IS healthy and you feel great.

[jennyp]

I would much prefer to advise you that a brief, daily, ordinary aerobic exercise routine, would have the same results with the added benefit of a cardiovascular improvement, that would serve you so much more throughout your life.

But what's wrong with both low-carb and aerobic exercise? And, would aerobics have cured my constant heartburn like low-carb did? (That was my surprising side-effect when I started it.)