Atkins is both dangerous and doesn't work

One of many links:
http://www.annecollins.com/atkins-diet-health-issues.htm

It's really not healthy, and since SO many people seem to be doing it, just thought I'd try to SAVE a life for once.

In the words of one doctor I heard debating the health issue with Atkins directly: "You can lose weight really quickly by undergoing Chemotherapy too." Atkins diet is really hard on your heart, and it is VERY rare for people to continue to keep the weight off. A change in your eating habits that is less severe and involves exercise will do much more for your long-term weight loss, health, appearance, and enjoyment of life. There is nothing like that endorphin rush from exercise...

Word out from lovely New Orleans.

 

Aren't Atkins people changing their eating habits, and doesn't Atkins say you should exercise as part of your lifestyle.

Yes and yes.

 

I've tried to tell these people this for ages but they insist. In about 20 years, I'm gonna go visit them while they are on dialysis 3 times a week and say "TOLD YA SO!" :bird1:

 

Everyone says everyones diet is bad or not going to help them. IMO, everyone is their own person. So we shouldn't live by what happended to him or her. We should all just follow strict but attainable guidelines to lose weight. Everyone knows whats healthy to eat/drink, and whats not healthy and what is best for themselves. Be happy while doing it, dont kill yourself, it makes it more difficult to attain your goals. Do the very best you can, eat and drink the right things, excersise regularly and you are should see results. If you dont see any result, look at it like this, at least you living healthy.

 

Math- the main point is that your body knows how to take care of itself--- as an engineer, you should be able to understand that. The body was meant to only burn fat for energy only when it kicks into 'starvation mode.' Now how bright is intentionally throwing yourself into starvation mode?

Mark my words- people on the strict Atkins plan will suffer the consequences in the future. I hope for y'alls sake (as well as my brother's sake) that I am wrong. But I'm not.

 

like making itself diabetic?

 

Not picking on you Fred, but have you read the book?

 

long term affects of obesity:

Premature Death

An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity.

The risk of death rises with increasing weight. Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64 years. Individuals who are obese (BMI > 30) have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight.

Heart Disease

The incidence of heart disease (heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm) is increased in persons who are overweight or obese (BMI > 25). High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight. Obesity is associated with elevated triglycerides (blood fat) and decreased HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol").

Diabetes

A weight gain of 11 to 18 pounds increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight. Over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.

Cancer

Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, compared to women whose weight remains stable.

Breathing Problems

Sleep apnea (interrupted breathing while sleeping) is more common in obese persons. Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma.

Arthritis

For every 2-pound increase in weight, the risk of developing arthritis is increased by 9 to 13%. Symptoms of arthritis can improve with weight loss.

Reproductive Complications

Complications of pregnancy. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of death in both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of maternal high blood pressure by 10 times. In addition to many other complications, women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have gestational diabetes and problems with labor and delivery. Infants born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be high birthweight and, therefore, may face a higher rate of Cesarean section delivery and low blood sugar (which can be associated with brain damage and seizures).

Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Obesity in premenopausal women is associated with irregular menstrual cycles and infertility.

Additional Health Consequences

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risks of gall bladder disease, incontinence, increased surgical risk, and depression. Obesity can affect the quality of life through limited mobility and decreased physical endurance as well as through social, academic, and job discrimination.



Children & Adolescents

Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to those with a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. The most immediate consequence of overweight, as perceived by children themselves, is social discrimination.

Benefits of Weight Loss

Weight loss, as modest as 5 to 15% of total body weight in a person who is overweight or obese, reduces the risk factors for some diseases, particularly heart disease.

Weight loss can result in lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and improved cholesterol levels.

A person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above the healthy weight range may benefit from weight loss, especially if he or she has other health risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, and a personal and/or family history of heart disease.

long term affects of atkins:

there have been no long term studies but individual have followed the diet for decades and live to be very old. In a way, it is good Robert Atkins died the way he did...had he had a heart attack or stroke, his nay sayers would say it was diet related.

 

I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure I agree about the starvation mode. What did humans eat before bread, sugar, and pasta? Meat. I realize fruit was part of it, and Atkins says fruit is a no-no, but only when you're losing. When you've lost as much as you want, assuming that level is healthy, then you go on maintenance. Introduce fruits and other foods with carbohydrates. It's not supposed to be a long term commitment to low or no carbs.

 

People bring up that kind of "historical" stuff about diet and health all the time. They conveniently forget that people died at 30 in those days as well...