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Atkins Diet Controversy
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The Atkins Diet ControversyThe Atkins diet, a high-protein low-carb diet plan, has become a highly popular weight-loss approach. Two recent weight loss studies have been publicised as supporting the Atkins Diet and confirming the weight-loss ability. But are there still safety issues about high protein dieting and is the diet a suitable approach for long-term weight loss? Atkins Diet StudiesBoth studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Atkins Diet Study 1.The first was conducted by the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where 132 severely obese patients were randomly put on either a low-carbohydrate diet, or a low-fat diet, for six months. The Atkins dieters limited their carbohydrate intake to 30g a day and received counselling on healthy types of fat, such as omega-3 fatty acids. The low-fat dieters were put on a calorie-controlled diet, with no more than 30 per cent of total calorific intake from fat. Only 79 people managed to complete the six-month trial. Low-carbohydrate dieters lost an average of 13 pounds, compared to four pounds for low-fat dieters. No significant changes in cholesterol or blood pressure levels were noted in either group, but the low-carbohydrate consumers did reduce their levels of triglycerides (blood fats) by an average of 20 per cent, compared to only 4 per cent in the other group. Atkins Diet Study 1 - ConclusionDespite the weight loss results, the study stated that the findings:
According to senior investigator, Dr. Samuel Klein:
See Abstract of Atkins Diet Study 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atkins Diet Study 2.The second study was carried out over one year, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Only 63 obese men and women took part, and were either assigned to a low-fat diet or the Atkins approach. All the participants met with a registered dietician at the start and then at three, six and 12 months into the programme. Over 12 months, Atkins dieters had lost an average of 9.5 pounds vs. 5.4 pounds on the low fat diet. Also, Atkins participants had greater increases in HDL cholesterol (18 per cent, vs. 3 per cent) and greater reduction in triglycerides. There was no change in either group in levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. Atkins Diet Study 2 - ConclusionDespite the weight loss results, the study stated: "The low-carbohydrate diet produced a greater weight loss (absolute difference, approximately 4 percent) than did the conventional diet for the first six months, but the differences were not significant at one year. The low-carbohydrate diet was associated with a greater improvement in some risk factors for coronary heart disease. Adherence was poor and attrition was high in both groups. Longer and larger studies are required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diets." See Abstract of Atkins Weight Loss Diet Study 2 Atkins Diet - What the Sceptics SayDespite the results of these weight loss
studies into the Atkins Diet, sceptics are not yet ready to approve the
benefits of high protein low carb diets. See: Want to Lose Weight on a Low Carb Diet?If so, the MiracleHerb Low Carb Diet is just ONE of the FANTASTIC diet plans that make up the MiracleHerb Weight Loss Program Sources include: BBC (London) Return to Diet and Weight Loss Advice |