Misconceptions of the Atkins Diet?

 

Debate is still raging over the culpability of one the nation’s most prominent obesity killers. The Atkins diet has been called into court over allegations of whether it is as efficacious as it claims to be. ‘Dieters worldwide are being misled;’ one plaintiff was heard to say. The sentence has yet to be decided however, because speculation has also arisen as to potential health hazards when on the diet. The defence are adamant that low carbohydrate diets are the most effective way to deal with obesity, however, the prosecution have brought forward very convincing evidence to the contrary.

 

Statement by Defence;

Researcher Eric C Westman and his team (2002) unveiled a recent study implicating the limiting of carbohydrates as a major contributor towards weight loss. The study is supported within the scientific community and the evidence provided makes a strong case for The Atkins diet. The diet has the equivalent of the FBI’s wanted list and appearing first are Carbohydrates. As a result, the diet primarily advocates weight loss through a low carbohydrate diet. Westman et al. sought to asses the efficacy of the diet and its health implications. The results showed that 95% of people within the study could loose up to 20% of their body weight with strict adherence to the diet with few or no side effects.

The diet itself is very simple. Any food containing carbohydrates must be eliminated or at least severely moderated. Other than that, participants can eat as much of whatever they want. Imagine the notion of weight loss butter; and this is not the type that you have to smear on the handle of the fridge to prevent your opening the door. The diet might be thought of as analogous to pre-emptive warfare; strike at the problem before it manifests itself fully. The Atkins diet will strike at obesity from its very roots, fighting carbohydrates to prevent the further onset of obesity.

Not only was the Atkins diet a proficient body weight reducer, but it was also seen to reduce cholesterol; another name appearing on Atkins’ ‘Wanted’ list. Mr Westman et al.’s research has shown that a six month adherence to the diet can result in an eleven percent drop in cholesterol, one of the major causes of heart disease. This drop was noted in 71 % of the subjects analysed in the study. Not only this but blood pressure was also seen to decline. Furthermore, 27 % of participants reported a decrease in heart burn, almost three quarters of the subjects had fewer cravings for sweets, half claimed they had improved mood and 85 % reported an increase in energy.

Of the very few side effects, constipation was noted as was ephemeral head-aches. These side effects disappeared however, without treatment. Mr Westman acknowledges the limitations of the study, particularly in the reliance on participant honesty and the relativity in adherence to the diet, but concludes by saying that most of the subjects had a favourable change in their lipid profile. In simplified form Westman highlighted the fact that the diet reduces body fat.

 

However, one should not be too hasty to advocate the Atkins diet. Lady justice should not be too swift to grasp her sword and ensure the Atkins Diet’s speedy execution. The jury has yet to hear the other side.

 

Statement by the Prosecution

The Westman et al. study can be seen to advocate the efficacy of the diet but the small print in this case seems to be the limiting factor. Westman et al. are extremely careful to ensure that their findings are only applicable for clinically obese people. The study in no way can be seen to act as an advocate for those who are not classified clinically obese.

In addition, another more recent study by Dena Bravata et al. (2003) was released. This study reviewed of 107 heterogeneous titles and abstracts of previous studies done on the low carbohydrate diets and concluded that there was ‘insufficient evidence to make recommendations for or against the use of low-carbohydrate diets.’ The breadth of the evidence in the Bravata et al.’s study undermines the authority of that of Westman et al. and appears to be the more informed of the two. Furthermore the Bravata et al. study pointed more toward the reduction of weight’s being a factor of a low calorie not low carbohydrate intake.

The findings of the Bravata et al. study seem to run contrary to the general consensus on low carbohydrate diets. The overwhelming evidence found by Bravata et al. implicates calorie intake as responsible for obesity. It should also be noted that Westman et al. ignored calorie intake and concentrated their study solely on carbohydrate intake. From this one can infer that Westman et al. provide no conclusive evidence supporting the claim that a reduction in carbohydrate intake is responsible for weight loss above that of calories. Therefore ‘low-carb’ diets could reduce weight, but only through the secondary effect of their limiting calories rather than carbohydrates. The former also provides evidence that contradicts Westman et al.’s findings concerning blood pressure. Specifically that one cannot in fact draw a correlation between the intake of fewer carbohydrates and lower blood pressure.  The caution issued by the American Dietetic Association and the American Heart Association against low-carbohydrate diets should also be noted.[1] The Bravata et al. study noted that these cautions are based on concerns that low-carbohydrate diets lead ‘abnormal metabolic functioning that may have serious medical consequences.’

 

Closing Remarks

Therefore, it appears that the case is not as clean cut as the defence lawyers might have hoped. The Atkins defence, led by Dr, Sam Lim has yet to provide evidence regarding sustained weight loss beyond the dieting period. The prosecution are keen to expand on this point in the hope of persuading the jury that low-carbohydrate diets are only a short-term solution. What’s more, the defence’s recent admission under cross-examination, that the Atkins Centre for Complementary Medicine provided funding for the Westman et al. study, has given the prosecution evidence of motive and opportunity. The jury faces a weighty decision and the public are still under potentially false pretences. Early speculation predicts that the jury will sway in favour of the prosecution and that the detail and volume of the Bravata et al. study will over-ride the defence’s case and eventually win the day. It seems that the Atkins diet have bitten off more than they can chew and it looks like slim pickings for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

Eric C. Westman MD, MHS et al: “Clinical Study; Effect of 6-Month adherence to low carbohydrate diet programme;” The American Journal of Medicine Vol.113 Issue 1 (July 2002)

 

Dena M. Bravata MD, MS et al:“A Systematic Review; Efficacy and safety of Low-Carbohydrate Diets;” The Journal of American Medical Association Vol.289 No. 14 (April 9^th 2003)

 

American Heart Association Statement on High Protein, Low-Cabohydrate Diet Study; November 19 2002; Chicago, Ill.  www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11234

 

Stein K. , High-Protein Low Carbohydrate Diets: do they work? American Dietetic Association (2000)