Doctors' group urges Atkins diet ban

Washinton Times ^ | August 22, 2003 | UPI

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Nutritionists are urging the top 10 U.S. hospitals to ban the Atkins diet, reports said Friday.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine announced Friday in Washington it hopes the hospitals will emulate England's Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, which is eliminating the controversial diet from its menus, fearing a link to kidney damage.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

When my sister went in for back surgery this summer, the staff was happy to serve her Atkins. They even came up to talk about the Atkins diet and one of the nurses gave her a great cheese cake recipe. Cincinatus and I tried Atkins when we heard about her improved health and we too are Atkins success stories.

[BlackVeil]

Well, it might be made illegal. Of course, with a whole lot of regulation to back that up.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

We can't have a successful diet screwing up the a big fat-tax payday can we?

[SamAdams76]

Down 70 pounds since April. Guess those doctors want to see me go back on a low-fat diet and gain it all back...for my health, don't you know.

[BlackVeil]

No indeed. And giving people a choice about what they eat - telling them that it is their responsibility to make decisions about their diets and the consequences thereof ... Oh no!

Fat taxes are the way to go. Also, thin taxes, and a diet regulation tax, with a panel staffed by "experts."

[Miss Marple]

Well, what are they going to do, send out the Meat Police? Monitor how many vegetables we eat?

Bah! My husband has lost 16 pounds in two weeks, feels great, and is walking 4 miles a day (which he never would have done before starting on the diet...he had NO energy).

I started 3 days ago, have lost 4 pounds, and I feel great as well. A lot of what I'm eating is the same as before except I've left out sweets, bread, pasta and potatoes. I am taking vitamins and am making sure I eat the salads and vegetables recommended.

This is sour grapes, in my opinion.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cincinatus' doctor was so impressed with his health and weight loss he asked him to give him a rundown of what he was eating on a typical day - and he took notes. The doctor needs to drop about 40 pounds.

[BlackVeil]

And then you could be in hospital - having more flour and sugar food. I am sure it is in the long-term benefit of the health system. How dare you stand in the way?

[netmilsmom]

People are getting thin, improving BP, improving cholesteral and scaring the he!! out of the health industry. Atkins has changed the way we think and these guys are losing money.
I worked for a doctor, he is a saint. Most are. But as with teachers compared to the NEA, the establishment is scared Atkins works.

[Agnes Heep]

Something else to consider with a high-protein diet is the effect on immunity. Countries where protein is a luxury generally suffer more in the way of infectious diseases, particularly HIV, and I'm convinced that protein deprivation is a primary factor. We suffer less from this kind of thing in the West because we can afford to take basic materials like grains and process them through animals to obtain protein-rich foods. There's more to longevity than simply preventing heart disease.

[Timesink]

...fearing a link to kidney damage.

"Fearing," of course, is a code word meaning "We don't actually have any proof that it can cause this. We just hate change."

By the way, I will post my standard disclaimer about the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a LEFT WING POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, not a medical organization.

Only about 15% of their membership are even doctors. They are strongly aligned with animal-rights activist groups, and THAT is why they are against Atkins: Because Atkins is a heavily protein-based nutritional approach, and that means LOTS OF MEAT.

[Rome2000]

Wheres the low-fat vegetarian food when you need it?

[Rome2000]

From the album biohazard

Only the strong survive.
Living all these days for myself, not you.
Mind your own business, I do what I do.
All of you who like to preach all day,
Now hear what I have to say.
The smell of leather makes me high,
I feel good inside when you cry,
nor remorse is felt when you sigh,
Because skin keeps me warm and dry.
Chorus (2x)
To wear my boots, I'll take a hide
To feed my face, I'll kill with pride
In this world of survival
Those with strength will have no rival
I'll smile at you as I drive down the street
Sitting in my car with plush leather seats
Survival of the fittest and that is the beat
And I eat all of the meat
Don't get me wrong
I come from the streets
I'll tell you now it's strong over weak
You slow--you blow
and you will meet your defeat
Now you will understand
Chorus
You will understand now

[Senator Pardek]

My head is gonna explode.

They don't get it - do they?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Very interesting!! Thanks for the facts.

[07055]

I support any diet that encourages consumption of liberal portions of Taylor Ham and cheesecake.

[bygolly]

Where are the studies indicating kidney damage? I'd like to see the same concern about obesity and diabetes in our society.

On May 16th I was 6' tall, 227 pounds and considered obese. Since May 16th, I've lost 34 pounds following a low carbo/high protein diet, swimming a mile, 3 to 4 times a week, and now lifting weights twice a week. I've lost much of my fat, toned down considerably, and now am adding new lean muscle mass. I have lost my appetite for junk and other sugar laden foods and feel great. My cholesterol has dropped 30 points and...my kidneys are just fine!

I've got about 8 more pounds to drop (unless I can replace it with 8 pounds of lean muscle) and feel very close to my goal.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Something else to consider with a high-protein diet is the effect on immunity.

So is mother's milk, something that's also making a comeback. Formula companies are working overtime sending out samples to expectant mothers.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"Research has clearly shown that high-protein, meat-heavy diets increase the risk of osteoporosis and kidney disorders"

Yeah. Through no scientificly sound research. Probably by .00000001