[The source of this article indicates it was recently edited/updated but for some reason the date didn't change. - gotbeer.]

Controversy over Atkins diet lives on

Doctor was loved by dieters, criticized by colleagues

By Robert Bazell, NBC NEWS

link to article

April 17 — With book sales exceeding an astounding 14 million copies, Dr. Robert Atkins was the most famous diet doctor ever. But he was always on the defensive about his weight-loss plan, which featured liberal doses of bacon, meat and butter.

A YEAR AGO, Atkins almost died when his heart stopped. Soon after he left the hospital, he appeared on NBC’s “Today” show to point out the cause of his heart problem was an infection — not coronary artery disease from his diet, as his critics had claimed.

“So what are they going to say now, that they know I don’t have any blockages? What are they going to say now, that this is an infectious disease? They’re going to have to say, ‘Oh, we could have — we should have kept our mouth shut,’” Atkins said on the show.

Atkins certainly had plenty of critics, including most of the medical establishment, who said his diet could lead to all kinds of health problems.

But for almost three decades, Atkins persisted, arguing that carbohydrates, such as sugar, bread and pasta, are the true evils of the U.S. diet.

“Carbohydrates really can contribute to the formation of fat, and ... the restriction of carbohydrates can allow for a person to lose weight,” Atkins said.

In recent years, with the epidemic of obesity in the United States growing ever worse, some of his critics have taken a second look at the Atkins diet. A small study presented last November at an American Heart Association meeting showed that the Atkins diet helped people lose more weight over six months than did a low-fat diet — and that it did not raise cholesterol or blood fat.

Atkins called his approach a diet revolution.

“The revolution is really the urging of the populace to give a second thought as to this old hackneyed idea about counting calories in order to lose weight,” said Atkins.

Many millions have tried the Atkins diet, but the controversy about whether it is a safe way to lose weight and whether it works in the long run will likely continue long after Atkins’ death.

Robert Bazell is NBC’s chief science correspondent.

Followup article, same source as above:

What is it?

Focusing on the consumption of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods and vita-nutrient supplementation, the Atkins diet restricts processed/refined carbohydrates, such as high-sugar foods, breads, pasta, cereal and starchy vegetables.

Why it works

While some Atkins dieters eat fewer calories than before, Atkins says it's not because the diet is unduly limiting of food intake, but rather because people are generally less hungry and are less obsessed with food. The reason:

1. Stable blood sugar throughout the day ensures that you will have fewer food cravings or false hunger pains.

2. The food you eat (meat, fish, cheese, nuts, eggs, low sugar/starch vegetables and fruit, etc.) is less processed and more nutritious.

Purported benefits

You'll start to burn fat for energy: Since carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source, you'll start to use your secondary energy source, you own body fat, for energy.

You won't feel hungry in between meals: By cutting the carbs, you'll maintain a more even blood sugar level throughout the day.

Your overall health will improve and you'll feel better: Many of the toxins you take into your body are stored in your fat cells. By getting your body to burn stored fat, you allow it to clean itself out.

Individualized diets

While intake of carbs is limited and the diet tends to be high in protein, Atkins cannot provide the exact percentages of each food group for the general population as it is individualized depending on a person’s sensitivity to carbohydrates, among other factors.

Not for everyone

A person who performs a lot of aerobic exercise and who doesn't have a weight problem has no reason to be on a carbohydrate-restricted diet, Atkins says.

Vitamin supplements

The diet calls for core vita-nutrient supplementation with a full-spectrum multi-vitamin and an essential oils/fatty acid formula.

Low carbs

The Atkins Diet is not a no-carbohydrate diet. The diet focuses on very limited consumption of the types of carbohydrates that tend to spike blood sugar levels the most, including non-whole grain bread, pastas, refined sugar products, juices and high sugar/starchy fruits and vegetables.

Are sugars to blame?

While many lament the consumption of fat as the root of America's weight problem, Atkins says that fat consumption has actually declined the past few decades. It’s carbohydrate consumption (mostly refined) that has increased, he says. During this time:

• Obesity increased from 25 percent of the population to 33 percent
Heart disease now accounts for 50 percent of all deaths, up from 40 percent in the 1970s

• Cases of diabetes are growing

• Hypertension, chronic fatigue and attention deficit disorder are now well recognized conditions.

I don't believe it...someone finally read the book before writing about Atkins.

What is amazing is people can with a straight face say that Atkins is dangerous weight lose diet, but have no problems with a gastric bypass operation... I don't get it...