The AtoZ weight loss study, (overseen by Dr. Christopher Gardner, if you need the search terms) wasn’t done in a metabolic ward; it actually reflects how people eat on the Atkins diet. Every group strayed from total compliance to their diet, as they do in real life. I think this is a distinction worth noting: there’s a big difference between being fed a diet to the letter, and the way people follow the books in real life. It requires larger studies and more randomization to get meaningful results, but it’s the only way you get results that reflect the way people eat the diet. And it is the diet you’re trying to get data on, aren’t you?

I’d also speculate that the Atkins group was encouraged to overeat by a fair bit, given how Atkins typically results in substantial weight loss. This might explain the inflammation; see this article, for instance: http://www.healthnews.com/nutrition-diet/weight-loss/overeating-triggers-master-switch-inflammation-brain-1908.html

Then there’s the matter of dairy, which is the most problematic part of the Atkins diet, in my opinion. In addition to the inflammation for which it is at least partly the culprit, it may also be responsible for the constipation. A little difficult to tell for the former without another control.

It’s pretty brash, Dr. Marc, to suggest that a popular diet “kills” on the basis on a 18-person study with such a questionable methodology. Personally, the only really large problem I see with the Atkins diet is the inclusion and amount of dairy recommended; why aren’t you attacking specifically that?

I find that great-tasting food – and actual food, I mean- and not too much of it, works for me.

God bless you, Dr. Marc.

A carb is not a carb, that is the “whole” point. Unprocessed apples and mangos will NOT appreciable raise your blood sugar as bread will (whole wheat included).

Any diet that advocates a fiber supplement should be avoided.. Atkins included. That alone should be telling you something. Most constipation is due to a poor diet (atkins included) and not enough whole unprocessed foods.

Humans were NOT meant to consume mostly meat. In fact the opposite is true. From an evolutionary standpoint one only needs to look at our dentition (the canines are not as prominent, the molars are which means we were designed to chew not rip and tear)

Lastly, a diet the advocates a supplement is another warning sign. (Atkins). Since the majority of antioxidants are from plant sources you’ll be missing this with an Atkins style diet. Remember that majority of studies show more harm than benefit with vitamin supplements. Let me say that again. You are doing more harm than good with expensive vitamin supplements. There is no substitute to eating whole fruits and veggies. None.

So if you consume a diet high in processed foods as most Americans you will not benefit from supplements and that includes Big Macs:)

btw.. There are some supplements I do recommend… Omega 3 and Vit D. Otherwise you should be getting most of your nutrition from whole foods.

Doctor, only 14 days in Atkins are restrictive, the rest is fine and let’s face it, the best celebrity bodies belong to people in low carb diets.

Hey doc,
I’m staying out of this debate between you and Herman, but I have a comment for you. (I happened upon your site while looking for something else.)

For some people’s bodies, “a carb *is* a carb”. I am thoroughly convinced that no one diet works for everybody. I guess you are mostly concerned with weight loss, but for someone like me – a nondiabetic with blood sugar issues and true diabetes-like symptoms – mangoes and apples are killers! Whole wheat this and that may make some marginal difference to my body over white – and surely I’m not chowing down on donuts and white bread – but the fact is my body can’t handle any significant change in blood glucose levels.

So, while I’m not on Dr. Atkins’ diet, I do think that it is irresponsible of you as a doctor to so harshly criticize a diet. It may work for some bodies. A high fat, low carbohydrate diet, like I am on, has been prescribed for epileptics for a while now – different diets for different bodies.

That’s all I wanted to say! Thank you for reading.

Guest

Dr. Weston Price travelled to Africa and studies various tribes, noting their diets and their health. Here is a sample of his findings…
“Their diets consisted largely of milk, blood and meat, supplemented in some cases with fish and with small amounts of grains, fruits and vegetables. Rich in animal fats, these diets provided large amounts of the fat-soluble vitamins Price discovered to be so necessary for proper development of the physical body and freedom from disease. The Neurs especially valued the livers of animals, considered so sacred “that it may not be touched by human hands. . . It is eaten both raw and cooked.” [...] These tribes were noted for their fine physiques and great height—in some groups the women averaged over 6 feet tall, and many men reached almost seven feet. Examinations of their teeth revealed very few caries, usually less than 0.5%. Nowhere in his travels had Price yet found groups that had no cavities at all, yet among the cattle-herding tribes of Africa, Dr. Price found six tribes that were completely free of dental decay. Furthermore, all members of these tribes exhibited straight, uncrowded teeth.”

Read more at: http://www.westonaprice.org/traditional_diets/out_of_africa.html