Where's the Beef? A Review of the Atkins Diet

You don't have to look hard to find the beef on a certain popular diet.

Dr. Robert C. Atkins, New York City cardiologist claims you can lose weight eating steak, ribs and butter. He has been an outspoken proponent for 25 years of the high protein/low carbohydrate diet that bears his name. Despite investigations by major health organizations, Atkins continues to preach the gospel of plenty, meat that is.

Atkins his regimen will yield:

¨ Fat being burned by the body

¨ Quick weight loss

¨ Reduced incidence of chronic fatigue, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease

Effect of the diet on chronic illnesses

Kidney disease

Kidneys break down protein. Our kidneys work hard to process waste on a regular diet, the extra protein from a lot of meat is an overload, even for these workhorses.

Bodybuilders on protein supplements are required to stop them six months before donating a kidney to allow kidneys to rest.

Diabetes

Carbohydrates break down to sugar. Few carbohydrates consumed equals low blood sugar, which means this diet isn't very good for diabetics.

High cholesterol/Heart disease

Cholesterol only comes from our four-footed friends, animals. Many animal products consumed increases cholesterol, which in turn increases the risk of hardening of the arteries.

With difficult blood circulation, the heart has to work harder - more bad news. People with kidney problems, high cholesterol or heart disease, definitely should not be on this diet," said Kim Casey, registered dietitian at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

"I approve of it only in extreme cases of morbid obesity," she added.

Average citizen

But what if you don't have these diseases? It's a valid question, but the answer is still no, nutritionists say.

According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, foods in one food group can't replace those in another. One food group is not more important than another. For good health, you need them all. All means carbohydrates too.

The Atkin's diet essentially turns the food pyramid upside down.

"I don't think it is healthy for anybody," said Shana Amar, registered dietitian at Emory University Hospital. "It is potentially very dangerous and doesn't teach healthy new behaviors."

No limits

New behaviors like moderation. The Atkins diet puts no limits on high-fat meats and butter, allowing patients to eat as much as they want, avoiding the starved feeling many dieters experience.

Dr. Atkins has had over 65,000 patients on this diet since the 1970s. They are considered medical patients because of the extensive battery of tests that Dr. Atkins recommends before, during and after using his diet. Medical supervision is always good when dieting. However, it is a red flag that he prefers patients to fast for an eight-hour blood sugar test, take about 30 vitamins and use urine test strips when on the diet.

Safe weight loss?

How much money does Dr. Atkins make from his diet? Enough for a seven-story building in Manhattan called the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. He sells diet-related items, books videos, diet bars and vitamins through a catalog and on-line (http://www.atkins.com/). There are fees patients pay for his close medical supervision.

"Patients don't seem to do too well on the Atkins diet," said Bonnie Dixon, registered dietitian for Georgia Cancer Specialists in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

There is no magic way to get around it, experts say. Dieters should strive to change to healthier eating habits and lose weight gradually. East three sensible meals a day and begin an exercise program you can stick with for life.

Post Script: Representative of Atkins' organization declined to be interviewed for this article.