Atkins Diet Risk - Is Atkins Healthy?
Low carb diets and in particular the atkins diet risk, have
long been the subject of much controversy and heated debate
within the medical and scientific communities.
More recent
research however appears to support some aspects of the atkins
diet claims, especially in relation to it being an effective
method for short-term weight loss.
From its introduction in the 1970's, the atkins diet has
come under vigorous criticisms by both nutrition and
scientific experts, who claimed that
the atkins diet's ethos of, low carb dieting being the best
approach to successful weight loss, was seriously flawed and
un-healthy.
In the midst of much heated debate on the
atkins diet risk, the diet grew in popularity, making it
probably the most popular weight loss diet ever.
So, what are the atkins diet risks, as identified by both
the medical and scientific communities?
atkins diet risk of
heart disease and other serious health conditions
The American Heart Association (AHA) points out
the atkins diet risk, of consuming high protein
foods such as meat, eggs, (which contain high cholesterol
high fat and low fibre), puts you at risk of not only
coronary heart disease, but also the potential to induce
other health conditions of osteoporosis, stroke, liver
disorders, diabetes and a pre-disposition to kidney stones
A further atkins diet risk identified by the AHA, is
the restriction of nutrient-rich foods. The AHA make
the point that since most of you will already be
consuming a diet of more protein and fat than you
would really need, a further atkins diet risk is your
exposure to many other types of diseases.
atkins diet risk of
harmful side effects
Other associated atkins diet risks comes from a study
undertaken by (Internal Medicine: Anals), showing that
the atkins diet can lead to harmful side effects:
namely, concerns over the induced metabolic state of
'ketosis', which leads to further side effects such as
headaches, tiredness, nausea, dehydration, dizziness
and constipation - during the induction stage
According to the (May 2004 Annals of Internal Medicine)
a study showed that people on the atkins diet also
experienced significantly more diarrhea, general
weakness, rashes and muscle cramps. (To address this,
the Atkins organisation conceded a fiber supplement was
in order)
atkins diet risk of
inadequate nutrition especially for womens health
A further atkins diet health risk, concerns the
level of nutrition, which is seen as being below that of
the daily recommended values for some vitamins and
minerals, such as calcium, potassium and magnesium
There have also been claims that the high protein food
intake can cause acidity, leading to osteoporosis. This
is especially the case for womens health, since an
inappropriate level of nutrition can lead to bone
fractures - most commonly associated with
osteoporosis
There have also been criticisms as to the atkins diet
lack of emphasis on the need to carry out physical
exercise, - a well known requirement especially for
womens health, that can help strengthen bones and reduce
the risk of osteoporosis
Conclusion: atkins diet risk
While the debate, both for and against the atkins diet health
benefits and the atkins diet risks continues, more recently
shorter-term studies have not only shown the effectiveness of
a low carb diet in the short-term - i.e. 3-6 months, but has also highlighted the
need for more research into the longer-term effectiveness and
safety of low carb diets in general.
This is even more the case, following a criticism from The
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, as to the
atkins diet low carb claims. In their comparison of the
atkins diet to the diet of people from East Asian countries
such as Japan and Thailand, they state: 'The dietary
lifestyles of these countries largely consists of carbs
such as rice and noodles, yet they have very few issues of
obesity and that the average Asian person is far slimmer
than their Western counterpart'.
However, the point which seems to have been overlooked in
this criticism, is that the average Asian person eat a far
healthier diet, consisting of mostly fresh, unrefined and unprocessed fibre-rich carbs
derived from whole grains, which are healthy, filling and
will keep them slimmer; compared to those carbs consumed by
the average Westerner.
It is also fair to say that Asian people consume in much
smaller quantities; as well as their eating less of the
foods containing unhealthy saturated fats as would
typically be found in every day carb food products consumed
by Westerners.
If you're considering the atkins diet or any other low carb
diet for your weight loss goal, the above information should
give you a good grounding into the associated atkins diet
risk. Do bear in mind that one diet will now suit all and
at the end of the day the choice is yours and yours alone to
make.
"I want to do it because I
want to do it" (Amelia Earhart)
Self Help Resources:
atkins diet risk
Atkins Diet - What Is It?
atkins diet - what is the atkins diet? Health Womens explore the
Atkins Nutritional Approach and the 4 stages of atkins diet, plus
FREE atkins diet recipes....
Free Atkins Recipe Ebook
Your chance to grab a FREE 1000 recipe atkins ebook packed with
low carb diet recipes, courtesy of Health Womens Healthy Living Goals
About Atkins Recipes
Free Atkins recipe ebook plus atkins food products, allowable
diet food and dessert, compliments of Health Womens Healthy
Living Goals
Carb Diet Low?
Carb diet low in carbohydrates, types of low carbohydrate diets,
how they work, the timescale you should remain on a low carb
diet and are they healthy for you. Plus FREE Atkins diet recipe
ebook
Low Carbohydrate Diets
Low carb diet, what are carbohydrates and how do they work? Before
you start a carb low diet there are a number of key questions you
might want to ask. What you need to know about carbs
Low Carb Diets: Facts
Low carb diets and how they can help you. Carbohydrates are
sugars, the body needa minimum of 100 gram carbs to maintain
a balanced metabolism. Learn more about low carbs and how...
Reference Source:
cause Osteoporosis (Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ,
Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in
women: a 12-year prospective study. Amer Jrnl Public Health
1997;87:992-7.
February, 2003 issue of
the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
(Vol. 77, No. 2, 504-511);
Cumming RG, Klineberg RJ. Case-control study
of risk factors for hip fractures in the elderly. Amer Jrnl
Epidemiology 1994;139:493-503.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of
Medicine 68(2001): p.761
The information on this site is purely of educational value
and is not intended to replace your seeking medical advice. You
must consult your doctor over all your health concerns.
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