AggieDave 6 #1 February 11, 2004 This is a spinoff thread from the Potato Shack thread I started. There are many reasons why the Atkins diet is unhealthy, sure you loose weight, but that's sort of like saying you loose a lot of weight when you're a drug addict, there are serious problems that can arise. There are a lot of resources out there that will tell you that, from a medical stand point. One of them is this: http://www.atkinsdietalert.org/ For a healthy alternative, something that will help you overall health and help you loose weight, you should check this out: Body For Life Please forgive the layout of that website, its very flashy and fairly stupid, but the book its self is a very good resource!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airborne31582 0 #2 February 11, 2004 Any of you guys find it humorous that Dr. Atkins was clinically defined as obese when he died? The paper said he died at 260 soune odd pounds. Chris I thought of the odds of me succeeding, versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid, and I went ahead anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 February 11, 2004 I'm 250lbs, but I'm definately not obese...I have a gut, but I also like to lift bars with stacks of 45s on the end of them...Although, all the pics I've seen of Dr. Atkins really made him look to be fairly...um...plump.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #4 February 11, 2004 I don't find that any more odd than Dr. Phil creating a book to teach fat people how to lose weight. News flash. HE'S FAT. Sigh. Okay, now I feel compelled to look up reasons that atkins might be healthy...besides the benefits of weight loss on the overweight body. I'm off to counter your claim, AggieDave! Just for research purposes! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 February 11, 2004 QuoteI'm off to counter your claim, AggieDave! Just for research purposes! Go for it! Like I've said in other posts, the low carb diets have been used by bodybuilders for many years to get that last bit of bodyfat off their frame for a contest, but they don't do it all the time, just leading up to a contest. It works for them, but its not for every American. I'd rather see people eat healthy and excersize regularly then go to extremes. The extreme is what can hurt your body in these situations.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kramer 0 #6 February 11, 2004 Yeah, NBC News said that he was 6'0" 260 pounds when he died. Hardly the poster child for weight loss. -Kramer The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 February 11, 2004 You're missing the point Dave. I get plenty of carbs from beer. Why eat them when I can drink them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #8 February 11, 2004 well sure it is, how do you think that atkins dude died, he didn't have any carbs later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #9 February 11, 2004 Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! I just had this discussion with my husband. No matter what I say about needing to eat 3-5 small meals a day and eat healthy choices, he doesn't get it. He's on a diet and chooses to cut out the carbs. Granted, before he was eating and drinking way too many carbs. So, I'm trying to feed him healthy meals but he only wants to eat very little if anything during the day and then dinner. He has always eaten this way and it finally caught up to him and I don't think he is willing to change....no matter what I try to tell him. I hope he does lose the weight, but I hope his health doesn't suffer in the mean time. I'm going to show him all the reports now coming out about this diet being unhealthy. Thanks Dave! J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #10 February 11, 2004 I agree. Your body needs quality carbs. for energy. Things are out of balance if you are eating too much protein and fat on an Adkin's diet....Just my opinion...I know you can lose lot's of pounds if you follow it, but I'd bet money you could also do serious damage to your body if you followed it for a long period of time.....Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #11 February 11, 2004 Seems anything that is eaten now days is unhealthy!-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #12 February 11, 2004 Quote Seems anything that is eaten now days is unhealthy! Except a generous helping of "kitty" at least once a day! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duckwater 0 #13 February 11, 2004 A guy I work with is a serious body builder. In fact, he is the world record holder for the bench press in over 50 category. He says that every time someone tries a low carb diet, they tear a muscle or a tendon. There is no substitute for a balanced diet with small portions and exercise. Body for Life works, I am proof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #14 February 11, 2004 Quote It works for them, but its not for every American. I'd rather see people eat healthy and excersize regularly then go to extremes. The extreme is what can hurt your body in these situations. exactly.. everything is unhealthy when excess becomes the norm. everything can be useful when used well.. ive know several people for whom Atkins worked rather amazingly well as a weight loss tool, (in one case, i after 2 kids and nearly 200lbs an old highschool girlfriend now fits back into a pair of jeans i decorated for her when i was 16) but its not a way of life, its just a tool and like all tools the results depend on the one who uses itl.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #15 February 11, 2004 Atkins is an unhealthy diet! The only reason that people lose weight is by taking in less calories than their body uses. Period... There is no magic to losing weight, you eat less calories.. you lose weight. Shocking your body into ketosis.. as Atkins reccomends initially... causes your body to use up its stores of glycogen (basically glucose.. so essentially stored carbs) that are in the muscles and liver. So this is essentially losing water weight. Its a trick to make you think that this diet is wonderful and magical and working. As soon as carbs are re-introduced you will immediately gain this weight back. The only reason that people lose weight is by decreasing the amount of calories they intake and increasing exercise. My nutrition professor passed out a great brochure today on why a low-carb diet is wrong.. I'll mention a couple of the big points. Heart disease risk increases. People on these low carb diets are likely to consume more saturated fat and cholesterol. Cancer risk increases. You're cutting out vital nutrients from your diet that have been proven to decrease cancer risks. Osteoporosis can be caused by excess protein intake which increase the loss of calcium in the urine. Gout can be caused by foods that are high in purines.. such as meats, poultry, nuts, seeds, eggs and seafood. Kidney stones are more likely to form on a high protein diet as compared to a diet that is high in carbs and fruits and veggies. Weird ass keto-breath. Supposedly smells like a combo of nail polish remover and over ripe pineapple. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #16 February 11, 2004 QuotePeople on these low carb diets are likely to consume more saturated fat and cholesterol. MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm....Cholesterol....... QuoteOsteoporosis can be caused by excess protein intake which increase the loss of calcium in the urine. Do I really need calcium in my urine? QuoteWeird ass keto-breath. Supposedly smells like a combo of nail polish remover and over ripe pineapple. Hmmmm....should be better than beer breath right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #17 February 11, 2004 Dave, You're absolutely right. A couple years ago for the first time in my life, I was 40lbs overweight...which does not look good on someone who is only 5'7". I talked to my doc about the Atkins diet and he told me it was OK for 2 months max. It does too much damage to your kidneys. I instead did Weight Watchers, which is a much more balanced diet. Within 4 months, the 40lbs were gone. Ofcourse you have to include exercise. Since I have been injured, I have been much more sedentary, which believe it or not, makes you more hungry. So, once again I have some weight to lose. I will most definitely go back to Weight Watchers. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeMcLean 0 #18 February 12, 2004 QuoteAny of you guys find it humorous that Dr. Atkins was clinically defined as obese when he died? The paper said he died at 260 soune odd pounds. Dr. Atkins was in a coma and being pumped full of steroids in an attempt to save his life from his fall. It is no wonder that he gained 70 lbs during this period. He was 190 before the fall. Remember the first rule of evaluation, consider the source. The "doctor" that released the autopsy results is a vegetarian who unethically (and probably illegally) requested medical records. Note, as a doctor you can request medical records only if you are a physician on the case, this doctor wasn't and misrepresented him self to get them. His goal, as a militant vegetarian belonging to a militant veggie group, was to create bad press for Atkins so that people would eat fewer animal products. Edit to add sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3483143.stm http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1508&ncid=751&e=6&u=/afp/20040212/hl_afp/us_health_atkins http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/hb/news/article/0,,usatoday_2004_02_11_eng-usatoday_life_eng-usatoday_life_053051_2275648737928274100~ew~xml,00.html http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-998623,00.htmlIt wouldn't hurt you to think like a fucking serial killer every once in a while - just for the sake of prevention Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeMcLean 0 #19 February 12, 2004 QuoteHeart disease risk increases. People on these low carb diets are likely to consume more saturated fat and cholesterol. American Journal of Cardiology (a better source than some unnamed professor) High carbohydrate diets, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and coronary heart disease risk Effects of variations in dietary fat and carbohydrate content on fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were compared in 8 healthy volunteers. As a percent of total calories the diets contained either 60% carbohydrates, 25% fat, and 15% protein, or 40% carbohydates, 45% fat, and 15% protein. Diets were consumed in random order for 2 weeks separated by a 2-week washout period. Results: The 60% carbohydrate diet resulted in significantly higher levels of fasting plasma triglyceride, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, remnant lipoprotein triglyceride, and lower HDL-C, with no change in LDL-C. The changes in plasma triglyceride, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, and remnant lipoprotein triglyceride persisted throughout the day in response to breakfast and lunch. Conclusion Substituting carbohydrate for saturated fat results in higher plasma triglyceride and lower HDL-C associated with day-long increases in circulating triglyceride and remnant lipoprotein concentrations. These changes are potentially atherogenic.It wouldn't hurt you to think like a fucking serial killer every once in a while - just for the sake of prevention Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #20 February 12, 2004 First off, I must concur that a strict Atkins diet is EXTREMELY unhealthy. However, eating a diet that provides a higher intake of protein (note that I am talking LEAN protein here) while lowering your carb intake (Americans eat WAY too many carbs), is actually very good for you. Protein is a better source of sustained energy. When trying to lose weight - you can satisfy your hunger for a longer period if you eat protein before you eat carbs. Also, your choice of carbs can make a HUGE difference in how your body uses them. High fiber, complex carbs don't give the highs/lows associated with refined carbs and are much more sustaining. Okay, so not only is it good to eat low calorie balanced meals when dieting, but the choices you make of what you put in those balanced meals is also important. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #21 February 12, 2004 all I know is I went on that diet, and it made me sick. I had no energy. I felt awful. I was dizzy and sick to my stomach. Went to my doctor (who is NOT a vegetarian, btw) and she had a fit when she found out that I was doing Atkins. Referred me to a nutritionist, who showed me how to lose weight the right way. Life is good now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #22 February 12, 2004 You're citing a study that had only 8 people, no control group, and lasted only two weeks per phase? doesn't hardly sound reliable to me. Want me to cite my source? Here ya go: Dr. James Kenney, PhD, RD, FACN Nutrition Research Specialist. I don't think that any dietitian would disagree with the statements that I made. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeMcLean 0 #23 February 12, 2004 Reference: Dreon, D.M., Fenstrom, H.A., Campos, H., et al., "Change in Dietary Saturated Fat Intake Is Correlated With Change in Mass of Large Low-Density-Lipoprotein Particles in Men," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67, 1998, pages 828-836. Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dietary saturated fat intake and changes in size (subclasses) of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. One hundred and three men completed an outpatient study for 12 weeks to determine whether nutrient composition was associated with changes in LDL subclasses. A low-fat (24% of calories from fat: 6% saturated; 59% carbohydrate) and high-fat (46% fat: 18% saturated; 39% carbohydrate) diet was followed for six weeks each. Blood samples were collected at the start of the study and after the sixth week of each diet. It’s been established that a predominance of small dense LDL particles (subclass pattern B) is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction. Results revealed that changes in dietary saturated fat are associated with changes in LDL subclasses in healthy men. An increase in saturated fat was associated with increases with larger (lower risk) LDL particles and decreases in smaller (increased risk) LDL particles.It wouldn't hurt you to think like a fucking serial killer every once in a while - just for the sake of prevention Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
favaks 0 #24 February 12, 2004 I exercise on the average an hour a day. I can eat anything I want. favaks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeMcLean 0 #25 February 12, 2004 QuoteGout can be caused by foods that are high in purines.. such as meats, poultry, nuts, seeds, eggs and seafood. Reference: Dessein, P.H., Shipton, E.A., Stanwix, A.E., et al., "Beneficial Effects of Weight Loss Associated With Moderate Calorie/Carbohydrate Restriction, and Increased Proportional Intake of Protein and Unsaturated Fat on Serum Urate and Lipoprotein Levels in Gout: A Pilot Study," Annals of Rheumatoid Disorders, 59(7), 2000, pages 539-543. Summary: The researchers begin this study by acknowledging that insulin resistance has been increasingly implicated in the development of gout. The changes in blood cholesterol levels seen in persons with gout are similar to those associated with insulin resistance. Therefore, researchers investigated whether changes in diet that have been reported to be beneficial in persons with insulin resistance would also benefit persons with gout. Thirteen non-diabetic men, each of whom had had at least two gout attacks during the four months previous to the study, were recruited. Each subject restricted his daily caloric intake to 1,600 calories, with 40% coming from complex carbohydrates, 30% from protein and 30% from fat. After 16 weeks on this diet, subjects lost an average of 17 pounds. Their gout attacks were reduced from an average of 2.1 per month to 0.6 per month. Significant decreases were also seen in total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels; meanwhile, HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels increased slightly. Researchers concluded that weight reduction associated with increased protein and fat consumption and decreased carbohydrate consumption is beneficial in treating symptoms of gout. They further stated that current dietary recommendations for gout might need re-evaluation.It wouldn't hurt you to think like a fucking serial killer every once in a while - just for the sake of prevention Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
