[oliveoilman]

I know its been around forever. What does
everyone think?
Is it safe?
Anyone have information or studies that confirm this?

Why oliveoilman, just a subject I'm interested in. http://www.geocities.com/napavalley/1077 /

[KatMcRN]

I think the safety of this diet varies depending on who you talk to. Most MD's that I've spoken to oppose it. Personally I believe that it works, I've seen results first hand, but I also believe it's not something to use off and on. As Dr. Atkins says it's a way of life. I haven't researched too many studies but if you've noticed there are an awful lot of articles and information that ie: pasta, bread etc isn't all it's been cracked up to be. I think it's just a matter of time before the experts start to realize that carbohydrate addiction is a problem leading to many of the diseases we see today. After all, didn't doctors in the past prescribe cigarettes to patients to help relieve stress???

[suellen e.]

I too have seen the Atkins diet work - weight loss happens on the diet. In nursing school (1973) people who were on it were checking there urine daily for acidosis. If ketones were very high, carbs would be added to the diet to reduce the acidotic state. Personally, I have not read studies but there must be some after this many years. Did you check on the net? To me, a much safer diet for weight loss would be to eat less of a variety of foods in an overall well-balanced - foods from all food groups - diet. Regular exercise and 8-10 glasses of water a day are also mandatory. Our bodies need the carbohydrates for quick energy but the exercise is required so that we don't accumulate excess. And then we must commit to this regimen for the sake of our personal health.

[cynthia L. Green]

I'm 35 and getting older. I can feel my metabolism sloww wayyy downnnn. I used to eat less and lose weight and now cannot. I work with elderly a lot and it makes me afraid to let the fat pile on due to later health problems and present ones of course. I am on my third day of the diet and have lost 3 lbs. It's probably water weight at this point, but it's working even though I'm eating like a pig - much more than I used to. And I can eat the forbidden foods I've been brainwashed into thinking are no no's.. I think if you're smart, eat vitamins and excercise, and slowly increase your carbs to a stable level for your desired weight, there can't be anything too wrong with it. You are still getting carbs, just much less. And you're basically going back to natures basic foods. I highly recommend it!

[ahill]

This diet really scares me! Yes, I've tried and seen as well as many of my friends. Questions that I have not seen answered by Dr. Atkins are 1) The possibilty of kidney problems after many years of a greater than normal protein intake 2) What about the vitamins and minerals a person doesn't get on this diet- do you just decide you don't need them? Serious health problems result from not getting them too! Every time that I see Dr. Atkins on a news program, he states that there are no dangerous side effects to his diet. I thought the first rule of nursing was to assume that no treatment was ever 100% without some possibility of danger. I agree with another responder that there may be people that have a greater affinity for carbohydrates that causes them to hold on to their fat. However, the entire population may not fit into this category. I am just afraid that too many people who want to get fast results and not lose weight the way all the current research suggests - low fat, exercise, and water- are risking their health. Does it amaze anyone else out there that people will try something so hard, before they are willing to make some less difficult lifestyle changes that have been proven to work? I hope Dr. Atkins has found the cure for fat, I just need a little more proof before I can take the risk.

[Heather27]

I have seen Dr.Atkins' diet work for a LOT of people. The thing is: You have to follow thru the WHOLE program, not just that first two weeks that throws you into acidosis! Dr.Atkins STRONGLY encourages a healthy intake of vitamin and mineral supplements, and also focuses on carb intake FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. For example, you might be able to eat 120G of carbs per day and still lose weight...I might be able to only eat 100G... You are to carefully monitor ketones, cholesterol, and all that other stuff. He recommends blood work at LEAST yearly...It is a really involved thing, not a quick fix! I think people need to be careful to first of all not criticize him out of hand without knowing the whole program, and secondly KNOW the program before embarking on it!!
Just MHO...
Heather

[roweACNP]

You all need to one of the books by Heller and Heller called, The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (1997 or later (newer research base)). For example, The Carbohydrate Addict's Healthy Heart Program by Heller, Heller, and Vagnini. I have lost 9 lbs in three weeks and I have more energy than I know what to do with. The research is there, high levels of Insulin in those of us with the thrift gene causes obesity, hypertension, Type II DM, hypercholesterolemia, etc. Read the book and the research and make an informed decision. If not for yourself, then for your pts. Within 5 years, if health care providers don't start paying attention to the research the ought to be sued for malpractice by putting pts at risk on lowfat, low chol diets with no carbohydrate intake adjustments.

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wsrowe

[tremmi]

Originally posted by ahill:
This diet really scares me! Yes, I've tried and seen as well as many of my friends. Questions that I have not seen answered by Dr. Atkins are 1) The possibilty of kidney problems after many years of a greater than normal protein intake 2) What about the vitamins and minerals a person doesn't get on this diet- do you just decide you don't need them? Serious health problems result from not getting them too! Every time that I see Dr. Atkins on a news program, he states that there are no dangerous side effects to his diet. I thought the first rule of nursing was to assume that no treatment was ever 100% without some possibility of danger. I agree with another responder that there may be people that have a greater affinity for carbohydrates that causes them to hold on to their fat. However, the entire population may not fit into this category. I am just afraid that too many people who want to get fast results and not lose weight the way all the current research suggests - low fat, exercise, and water- are risking their health. Does it amaze anyone else out there that people will try something so hard, before they are willing to make some less difficult lifestyle changes that have been proven to work? I hope Dr. Atkins has found the cure for fat, I just need a little more proof before I can take the risk.

Dear ahill: You haven't read the book if you are asking those 2 questions. #1 as far as kidney problems, those are taken care of by drinking the water that he tells you to to flush you renal system #2 he also tells you to take a good multivitamin/mineral supplement. This diet is fine. I have lost 62 pounds on it. I no longer get indigestion like I did when I was eating so many carbs. My skin looks great. My energy is out the roof. My cholesterol went up 4 points but my triglycerides went down. My cholesterol is now 186 from 182. I try to keep my carb intake to 25 or below.

[MissyS]

I think the best answer is to read his book. This diet is not for everyone. I have done some homeopathic nursing and have found that most men do well with Atkins, most women do better with high complex carbs. Some do not respond to either and need the rotation diet. The test is what makes you feel better, proteins or carbs? As far as the kidney problem goes, you have to drink water! If you don't drink enough, then you'll have problems.