My comments are not directed to Tomjackson since he said he is leaving the Low-carb forum. I am directing my comment to new members or visitors reading about the low-carb diets. Tomjackson's comments are highly suspect as not being truthful. His title, "Warning" should raise a red flag immediately and his first line, "Please read this carefully!" make me question his motives even more. I see many of these same scare tactics in amazon.com book reviews given on Atkins, Protein Power and others. Their stories can easily be seen as outright lies.
Let's look at Tomjackson's information closely as he himself suggests.
1. He did not give his previous or his new cholesterol readings. He did not give values nor dates. I go to the DrWeil.com message board where the proponents of their low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet brag about having a total cholesterol reading in the 90's. They consider that the lower the cholesterol the better. They see cholesterol in any amount as some risk to health. Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades point out in their book, Protein Power, that low cholesterol increases the risk of stroke from ruptured blood vessels. Dr. Mercola at
www.mercola.com has a very low cholesterol himself and considers it to be a serious health risk. He tries desperately to keep it above 100.
2. Lets give Tomjackson the benefit of the doubt and assume he had high cholesterol and high triglycerides. He said he went on the Atkins diet December 27 and posted his message on January 22, less than 4 weeks. We know that cholesterol reports from the doctor can take about a week. So, actually, Tomjackson was on the Atkins' diet less than three weeks. Having total cholesterol jump 20% on any diet in three weeks is preposterous. These statements show that Tomjackson was up to a little mischief.
3. Tomjackson said he now faces taking Lipitor to "reverse the affects of Atkins." Another scare statement.
4. Tomjackson quoted his doctor as saying the Atkins' diet causes problems in some people. Now, having a AMA doctor say this is not only possible but expected. Hearing a doctor criticize the low-carb diet should be expected. But again, I believe Tomjackson was simply adding another scare remark to his story.
In summary, I don't believe Tomjackson and believe his entire story to be fiction placed on the forum because of his person agenda against the low-carb lifestyle. I urge new members and visitors to study the low-carb lifestyle carefully. This site has a tremendous amount of helpful information, personal examples and people with considerable experience to help. The low-carb lifestyle produces awesome health benefits and reverses many diseases. I know of no disease caused by the low-carb diet.
William Banting in his booklet of 1869 spoke of the hope he had that people would see the health benefits of the low-carb diet. Instead, he told of the false information spread about the diet and the predictions of his demise. Thing haven't changed much in 132 years. This booklet is must read and available to read online at this site.
Letter On Corpulence by William Banting - 1869
Another neat reference is a speech given by Dr. Ron Rosedale at the following:
Dr. Ron Rosedale - Insulin and Its Metabolic Effects 7/14/01
Nice try Tomjackson but it didn't work.
Kent