understanding the Atkins Diet
by Rachel Newcombe
fast weight loss, but experts are concerned
In the short term, most people trying the diet do lose weight and often shed the pounds quickly – another factor that makes it such a popular option. However, some nutritionists say that most of the early loss tends to be water and muscle, rather than the desired fat loss, and are concerned about people cutting out carbohydrates completely.
'Although certainly short term it seems to be effective in achieving weight loss, this kind of diet is not nutritionally complete with the elimination of a whole food group,' said Sarah Oyston.
'The limited allowance of carbohydrates in the diet significantly reduces fruit and vegetable intake – a vital source of vitamins and minerals for the body. This does not fall in line with current government guidelines as we should be aiming to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day,' she added.
What's more, there are a host of other concerns about the long-term effects. The diet is low in fibre, which could affect digestive health and cause constipation, and the high protein intake may have a detrimental effect on bone health over a long period of time. Unlike other diets, it's low in fruit and vegetables and could increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease and cancer, plus for people with underlying kidney or liver problems there's concern that it may put too much strain on their organs.
Dr Susan Jebb, head of the Medical Research Council's Human Nutrition Research Centre, even went as far as to say that the diet 'shouldn't be recommended for anyone overweight,' as the long-term health implications are unknown.
Although many experts appear to agree with her views, the value of her comments were short-lived, as it emerged soon after that she's being paid to investigate the benefits of high-carbohydrate diets for the Flour Advisory Bureau, an organisation who promote the very food ingredients that the Atkins Diet seeks to lower.
(November 2003, resources updated March 2005)
