Okay, we finally have a study on Atkins diet so I can put the actual side-effects from doing Atkins for six-months. (The study is continuing, but these are the symptoms of six-months only. There may be other side-effects down the road.) But so far, so good.

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 113, Issue 1, July 2002, Pages 30-36

Effect of 6-month adherence to a very low carbohydrate diet program*1

Eric C. Westman MD, MHS, , a, b, William S. Yancy MDa, b, Joel S. Edman DScc, Keith F. Tomlina and Christine E. Perkins MSWa

Quote from study:

Adverse effects
At some point during the 24 weeks, 28 subjects (68%) reported constipation, 26 (63%) reported bad breath, 21 (51%) reported headache, 4 (10%) noted hair loss, and 1 woman (3%) reported increased menstrual bleeding. One subject reported an episode of orthostatic hypotension soon after restarting the diet after a period of nonadherence. This subject continued the diet program with no further similar episodes. Another subject had moderately severe headaches daily for 3 months, which resolved without treatment. Thirty-five subjects (85%) reported more energy, 11 (27%) had decreased heartburn, 30 (73%) had fewer cravings for sweets, 21 (51%) had improved mood, and 8 women (26%) had fewer premenstrual symptoms and less menstrual cramping.