Atkins Diet: Does It Really Work And Is It Safe?
September 2, 2004
Health Talk
http://www.healthtalk.ca/atkins_diet_09022004_9022.php
With over 45 million copies of the Atkins diet sold, many questions remain concerning the safety and effectiveness of the popular weight loss lifestyle.
In a Rapid Review article in the medical journal Lancet, Dr. Arne Astrup of RVA University in Copenhagen, Denmark, said there is no evidence that Atkins-style diets help people stay slim.
Three recent randomized trials looked at the long term effects of low-carbohydrate diets, and for the most part, all subjects on a low-carbohydrate diet did lose more weight over a six month period, compared to subjects on a low-fat diet. However, by 12 months, no difference was noted.
Safety
Astrup reports some heart risk factors improved in subjects on a low-carbohydrate diet, however, Astrup noted the Atkins diet is not healthy because it restricts whole-grains, fruit, and vegetables.
The absence of these foods "might increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease," wrote Astrup.
Side-effects from the Atkins diet include muscle cramps, diarrhea, general weakness, and rashes.
Dr. Astrup also indicated long term studies of up to 2 years are needed to assess the effectiveness of the low-carbohydrate diets.
He recommends people who want to lose weight and keep it off, increase physical activity and eat a diet low in fat and reduced calories.
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