Atkins Diet Plan -- Are Low Carb Diets Doomed?

According to Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert Atkins, the cause of his death was from falling on a slippery sidewalk with subsequent irreversible brain damage (from a CNN interview, February, 2004). Many critics of the Atkins Diet Plan claim the fall was due to a heart attack. This has not been verified to date.

He was 72 years old.

With all due respect to Veronica Atkins, I would like to assume Dr. Atkins did in fact suffer a fatal heart attack. This is in order to answer the following questions...

  • Is it right to use his death as evidence against the safety of the Atkins Diet Plan and other low Carb diets?

  • Does the recent bankruptcy of the Atkins Corporation provide evidence for the ineffectiveness of low Carb diets?

  • Many critics of low Carb diets say yes to both questions, but are they right?
  • The Atkins Diet Plan & Cardiovascular Risk

    Medically speaking, it is incorrect to associate Dr. Atkins' fatal heart attack to the use of his low Carb diet. There are two reasons for coming to this conclusion.

  • The increased risk for cardiovascular events associated with Atkins Diet Plan are not from restricting carbohydrates. Instead, the higher risk of cardiovascular events comes from replacing carbohydrates with foods high in saturated fats.

  • Dr. Atkins died at the age of 72. Beyond the age of 72, the risk for a cardiovascular event is the same for everyone. Granted, he was diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy (diseased heart muscle) when he was 69 and he suffered a heart attack in early 2004.

    However, both events occurred well above the age of 55...the cut off used for men to assign an increased risk for cardiovascular events to their first degree relatives. He was at an age which allows for the exclusion of any significant cardiovascular risk passing to his children.

  • From an epidemiology view point, risk behaviors like smoking or eating a high fat diet are no longer considered as primary contributors in Dr. Atkins' death.

    Yes, eating a high fat diet may have played a role, but this is only speculation. Because Dr. Atkins was 72 at the time of his death, no risk for similar events is passed onto his first degree relatives and the risk for cardiovascular events is the same for everyone at that age.

    With all due respect, he died of old age. To blame the Atkins Diet Plan and low Carb diets in general is medically irresponsible. At 72 years old, there are several factors to consider when faced with a fatal heart attack, including the aging process itself.

    Veronica Atkins was quoted by CNN...

    "My husbands health at the time of his death is a sad and distracting sideshow, taking time away from an intelligent debate of the known science."

    For a more detailed discussion on cardiovascular risk and age, please visit...

    www.medscape.com

    Low Carb Bankruptcy -- Evidence for its Ineffectiveness?

    The only correct way to measure a diet's effectiveness (or lack there of) is to study the evidence provided by clinical trials. Recently, a few good studies have reported on the effectiveness of the Atkins Diet Plan and other low Carb diets.

    In short, low Carb diets, measured at one year, are safe and effective in helping dieters lose weight.

    Like all diet types, the evidence for long term effectiveness (2 to 5 years) is sparse and inconsistent.

    Cardiovascular risk increases for some dieters on low Carb diets, not because of the carbohydrate restriction, but because of the consumption of foods high in fat. Also, sticking with the low Carb diet appears to be tough for most dieters beyond one year.

    And lastly, low Carb diets that promote long stages of measurable ketosis may cause rapid weight loss that is too extreme. This is a great way to guarantee weight regain in the near future.

    Conclusion

    Atkins death, from whatever the cause, can not be associated with his diet because he was 72 years old at the time of his death. Even if Dr. Atkins' death could be associated with his diet, no correlations could be made to similar low Carb diets, too much variation exists between them.

    Bankruptcy does not belong in a scientific discussion of a diet's effectiveness.

    To Healthy Living!

    Michael A. Smith, MD
    Chief Medical Consultant
    Diet Basics Web Site

    Dr. Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant for Diet Basics, a content rich weight loss website dedicated to all dieters. Please visit his site at...

    www.medscape.com

    custom home cleaning Lincolnshire ..
    In The News:

    Amazon Prime Day shoppers face threats from 120,000-plus scam websites as cybercriminals prepare phishing traps and malware ahead of the July sales event.
    Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.
    The AEON humanoid robot tackles labor challenges with Nvidia AI, Microsoft Azure cloud and advanced spatial awareness, working alongside industry leaders Schaeffler and Pilatus.
    Google's Ask Photos feature brings AI-powered searches to your photo library, letting you find memories with natural language queries while maintaining privacy controls.
    The return of blue book exams emerges as universities fight widespread AI academic dishonesty and educators debate whether to ban AI tools or teach responsible usage.
    Signs your phone might be hacked include strange behavior, unauthorized texts, battery drain and pop-ups, while protection involves updating software and avoiding public Wi-Fi.
    Tokyo startup H2L has launched Capsule Interface technology enabling full-body robot control with muscle sensors, offering immersive remote operation.
    The A.I. industry seems set for growing pains as Big Tech companies scramble for solutions to the medium's unprecedented strain on the power grid.
    Fourth of July fireworks cause a 60% spike in lost pets, but GPS trackers and AI photo-matching services like Love Lost can help reunite missing dogs with their families.
    Protect yourself from jugging, the rising crime by which thieves monitor ATM users and follow them to steal cash, with six practical safety tips to stay alert and secure.
    U.S. airlines like Delta, American and United are selling your domestic flight records to government agencies through the little-known Travel Intelligence Program.
    Autonomous robots from Uber Eats are rolling out across U.S. cities, featuring LIDAR sensors, secure compartments and all-weather operation for food and grocery delivery.
    Costco has expanded into EV infrastructure with new ultra-fast charging stations that can charge most electric vehicles to 80% in 20-60 minutes while shoppers browse the warehouse.
    The new Gemini Robotics On-Device AI allows robots to perform complex tasks without internet, offering enhanced privacy, reliability and adaptability for real-world use.
    Protect yourself from Amazon phishing scams by spotting red flags like suspicious sender addresses and spelling errors while using Amazon's Message Center to verify communications.
    GAC Group's new Govy AirCab flying car combines lightweight design with advanced safety systems and smart cabin technology to revolutionize city travel with an 18.6-mile range.
    The Berkeley Humanoid Light (BHL) is a lightweight, open source humanoid robot that anyone can build using 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components.
    Meta’s new AI chatbot is getting personal, and it might be sharing more than you realize.
    A new threat targets both Android and iPhone users: SparkKitty, a powerful mobile malware strain that scans private photos to steal cryptocurrency recovery phrases and other sensitive data.
    Thanks to a team at the University of California, Davis, there's a new brain-computer interface (BCI) system that's opening up real-time, natural conversation for people who can't speak.
    Privacy risks are hiding in plain sight, as your personal data is likely being collected, tracked, and sold without your knowledge.
    VenHub, a fully autonomous, AI-powered smart store just opened at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles.
    A woman's Facebook account takeover reveals dangerous social engineering tactics and provides lessons on recovery, avoiding scams and enacting stronger security measures.
    Shanghai engineers are using 432 walking robots to relocate a complex, preserving Shikumen architecture while creating space for a modern underground hub and cultural center.
    Major healthcare data analytics firm Episource had a cybersecurity incident exposing 5 million patients' medical records and personal information in recent breach.

    Learn The Basics Of Weight Loss

    Have you been surfing the web trying to find a... Read More

    Three Steps to Achieving Your Health Goals

    We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More

    Dietary Recommendations After Gastric Bypass Surgery

    When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle... Read More

    Weight Loss Success with the South Beach Diet

    The South Beach Diet was not created by your typical... Read More

    10 Easy to follow Tips to help YOU Lose Weight

    Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably... Read More

    Weight Loss Tip ? The Importance of Lowering Your Body-Fat!

    When you hear a doctor or a personal trainer say,... Read More

    Controlling Your Hunger And Losing Weight Using Meal Replacement Powders And Bars

    The market is flooded with weight loss supplements that make... Read More

    The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Weight Loss

    5 Easy Steps to A Healthier WeightAlthough different people have... Read More

    Cellulite: Do We Have To Lump It?

    What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More

    Mindfulness - The Key to Avoiding Overeating

    I made myself a sandwich today and thought I'd be... Read More

    Sale Offers, Ephedra, and Weight Loss... Are You A TARGET?

    Today, Ephedra is an herb of controversy. It contains ephedrine,... Read More

    Weight Loss with NO Dieting! The Five Mindsets for Success

    Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More

    Can Caffeine Tights Beat Cellulite?

    At around ?350 pounds a treatment, Lipo-Dissolve the so called... Read More

    Weight Loss, Exercise, and Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-Fat Low: Part 5 of 10

    Have you ever seen an overweight rock climber or yoga... Read More

    The Rumbly-Grumbly Tummy After Gastric Bypass

    If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you... Read More

    Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #4

    How's the practicing going? Are you spending time each day... Read More

    The Secrets of Online Weight Loss Pills

    I know a lot of people out there would like... Read More

    Learn the Secrets the Weight Loss Industry Doesnt Want You To Know About Weight Loss Diets

    All weight loss diets make you FatThat's right, because on... Read More

    Weight Loss Product Warnings -- How to Spot Fat Burning Diets

    This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More

    Lose Weight NOW! ? Do or Die Time!

    Some of you will not like what I'm going to... Read More

    Weight Loss: Are You Frustrated? Have Low Energy? Dont Feel Good about Yourself? Lose Weight Now!

    Twenty years of health club consulting, 50,000 hours of paid... Read More

    Dieting Effects ? Diet Pills

    When it comes to our weight and the appearance of... Read More

    Weighing-In On Low Carb Diets

    With all of the conflicting studies and fuzzy interpretation of... Read More

    Weight Loss Psychology- Sticking to an Exercise Program!

    IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More

    Weight Loss Forums: Top 5 Reasons To Join An Online Weight Loss Support Group

    You and I know that getting plenty of support from... Read More

    move in cleaning service Glencoe ..