[Johnnyzen]

The Atkins Diet is dangerous and has a high failure rate. Do you know anybody who has lost weight on teh diet and kept it off for several years or even a year?

Teh thinnest healthiest people on teh planet follow a mostly starchy plant based diet, similar to Macrobiotics, like the Mediterranean Diet, teh Okanaoan Diet, the Hunza Diet or Macrobiotics.

I have seen several articles on the dangers of the high protein diets. Check EarthSave's website. The diet has been condemned by such mainstream organizations as teh American Dietetic Association, Weight Watchers International, and many medical journals.

The bottom line is that caloric intake and excercise determine body weight. A low fat plant centered diet like Macrobiotics, McDoughall or Ornish diets allow plenty of bulk and food, with less fat and calories, and ample fiber. Diets like Atkins are deficcient in fiber, which can lead to obvious problems. The diet is not natural, and cannot be sustained for any length of time without serious health consequences, in my opinion. Some of those problems could include: heart disease, kidney problems, liver problems, etc.

Atkins himself was overweight, apparently, by around 20 pounds. Look at advocates of a vegan diet plan, like Dr. McDoughall, Dr,. Ornish, Dr. Barnard. They are all lean men. They have debated the Atkins prople many times, and there is no contest. Look at Michio Kushi, and other MAcrobiotic teachers. they all eat lots of unrefined carbohydrates, and are very lean and healthy. YOu decide which makes more sense, a diet of whole plant foods or a diert of processed cheese, bacon and meat!