I went to my doctor to see if I needed to be monitored on Atkins, and the doc said all their patients who lost huge amts of weight on that diet had elevated cholesterol levels and also gained alot of their weight back. They didn't like Atkins because "it is not nutritionally sound." Any comments?

If someone goes on a "way of eating" including low fat and low calorie and loses a lot of weight and then GOES OFF the plan, they will gain back the weight. That's true for Weight Watchers and every other 'diet' including all the low carb plans.

That's why LCers try to see this as a way of eating for life rather than a quick loss plan.

Now as to the cholesterol, there are lots of articles in the Media Watch section of this board with lots of details. Basically, it seems that cholesterol levels do rise somewhat in the first 6 weeks to 3 months but then they seem to fall and get to much better ratios. The ratio of HDL(good) & LDL ([/I]bad[/I]) is what matters. And most Atkins people & other LCers develop better ratios even if the total numbers are higher.

Do check out Media Watch.

Thank you for your input! I will look at the site you mentioned. I was disappointed that the doc didn't say it was a terrific plan.

I want to let you know I was worried about cholesterol also and doing Atkins. I started Atkins May 27, 2003 and July 16, 2003 my cholesterol had lowered by 41 points. Not sure on the breakdown but I am a believer in the diet.

Hi.
My suggestion is to find a new doctor!
My doc suggested a low carb diet to HELP with cholesterol...I got my results emailed to me today. I posted them as WooHoo, in this forum.
Do NOT just take a doctors advice, read, study, learn all you can. Keep an open mind!
Good Luck, Good health, too.
Luke