Letter to Editor: Sugar addiction sabotages diet

link to letter

Regarding your story May 22 titled "2 studies vindicate Atkins diet, but does weight loss last?":

The answer is a resounding yes, unless and until an individual succumbs to his or her former sugar cravings. As with any addiction, the sugar addict is never really "cured," but is merely strengthened by abstinence.

I first read of the Atkins diet in Vogue Magazine decades ago and decided to follow it. I have never had a weight problem since, except when I joined my husband in a "Heart healthy" regimen, gained 10 pounds and was hungry all the time.

It has not been well-publicized, but the late Dr. Atkins, in his first book, pointed out that the rise in heart disease was directly correlated with the rise in the use of refined sugar. He suggested that sugar may be the culprit in the epidemic of heart disease in this country.

Epidemiological studies have pointed out the so-called red wine connection with the French diet, which seems to protect them from heart disease. In their wisdom, the French seem to prefer cheese as a dessert. I submit that it is the sugar connection which should be explored (never mind the known obesity and diabetes aspect). The Japanese, who eat little refined sugar, have low rates of heart disease.

The 40 percent who dropped out of the studies could not cope with their sugar addiction. Perhaps the sugar interests in the country would wish to suppress this kind of information.

Vivian Lambert
Siesta Key