Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet is probably the most controversial weight loss plan. But regardless of the countless ridicule by medical and nutritional experts, latest studies show that it work and gets results. Two studies in one of medicine's most distinguished journals show it really does help people lose weight faster without raising their cholesterol.

The Atkins Diet has Numerous Critics

Atkins Diet Books have sold 15 million copies since the first one was published in 1972. From the start, doctors branded the Atkins diet foolish and dangerous, warning that the large amounts of beef and fat would lead to sky-high cholesterol levels. In both studies, the Atkins dieters generally had better levels of "good" cholesterol and triglycerides, or fats in the blood. There was no difference in "bad" cholesterol or blood pressure. In the recent edition of Dr. Atkin"s book the diet has changed to include a more balanced diet that is not as controversial.

Two Studies Show the Atkins Diet Gets Results

According to a study by the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, who led the VA study, said both studies indicate that people do lose more weight on the Atkins diet. The 132 men and women in the VA study started out weighing an average of 286 pounds. After six months, those on the Atkins diet had lost an average of 12.8 pounds, those on the low-fat diet 4.2.

In another study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, there were 63 participants who weighed an average of 217 pounds at the start. After six months, the Atkins diet group lost 15.4 pounds, the group on the standard diet 7.

According to Collette Heimowitz, director of education and research at Atkins Health and Medical Information Services, said people there were not surprised by the weight loss and improved cholesterol resulting from the Atkins Diet. "But I'm thrilled that serious researchers are taking a hard look at the program, so that health care professionals and physicians would find comfort in offering Atkins as an alternative to the one-size-fits-all hypothesis of low-fat, low-calorie," she said.

Also see high protein diet.

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