Atkins Diet

[Teri Steiner]

I wanted to know the response to the 'apparent success' of those on the Atkins Diet. What are the risks and what are they getting themseles into. What is the MB Community's formal reponse? Is data being tallied on problems associated?

[Johnnyzen]

Atkins works to lose weight only because it reduces calories, according to studies. Temporarily, blood pressure may come down with the weight loss. Eliminating good carbs to lose weight is absurd, however. the thinnest people in the world follow a high unrefined carb diet. Atkins himself was 20 pounds over weight, and had a heart attack before he died from a fall. MAny think his heart condition caused the fall. IN any event, the diet has a very low permanent success rate.

Notice that advocates of a high starch diet like Kushi, McDoughall and Ornish are all thin!!!!!

[Felisha]

Originally Posted by Johnnyzen

Atkins works to lose weight only because it resuces calories, according to studies. temporarily, blood pressure may come down with the weight loss. Eliminating good carbs to lose weight is absurd, however. teh thinnest people in the world follow a high unrefined carb diet. Atkins himself was 20 pounds over weight, and had a heart attack before he died from a fall.

Notice that advocates of a high starch diet like Kushi, McDoughall adn Ornish are all thin!!!!!

Well put Jonnyzen,

My personal trainer told me the other day that I should be on Atkins, of course I did not listen to her. I am very happy now just finding the Macrobiotic way of living and of course I told her thanks but no thanks!

[Johnnyzen]

I had a personal trainer who is vegan. He was very fit, muscular, and could power walk a mile in 9 minutes. He is still vegan, and very fit years later. You can perform a lot of athletic on a vegan-macro type diet with lots of grains.

[jane b]

It is simply not true that the Atkins diet is succesful because it reduces calories. In fact the meals can be quite high in calories. A recent study comparing popular diets was confounded that although Atkins was high in calories and yet still weight loss still occured.

Also Atkins does not recommend eliminate good carbs - he recommends good carbs! Yes, at the begining of the diet (the induction phase) only 20 grams of carbs are allowed from certain sources but this is increased over time.

Advocates of the macrobiotic diet maybe thin but look at the increasing incidents of cancer, heart disease and now osteoporosis that is afflicting the community, not a good track record.

If you really want to get at the truth about diet read a book called "Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon -- but be ready to have you paradigms rocked!!

Originally Posted by Johnnyzen

Atkins works to lose weight only because it reduces calories, according to studies. Temporarily, blood pressure may come down with the weight loss. Eliminating good carbs to lose weight is absurd, however. the thinnest people in the world follow a high unrefined carb diet. Atkins himself was 20 pounds over weight, and had a heart attack before he died from a fall. MAny think his heart condition caused the fall. IN any event, the diet has a very low permanent success rate.

Notice that advocates of a high starch diet like Kushi, McDoughall and Ornish are all thin!!!!!

[Johnnyzen]

It is calories in the long run, according to most leading authorities. And Atkins advocated meat, cheese, bacon, whatever, bad proteins. No diet in the world is like that, and no credible organizationi advocates such a ridiculous diet. cancer rates among heavy meat eaters is much higher than plant eaters. And osteoporosis is more prevelant here than in Asiis or other countries. Thim people eat whole foods, not grease adn bacon.

Atkins begins with 10 carbs, and uses artificial sweeteners and artificial laxitives because the diet lacks fiber. It also lacks whole grains, fresh fruit, and only lettuce and a few veggies are used.

I have a friend who saw Atkins a week before he died, probably of a heart attack as he fell and went into a coma. He has just had a heart attack awhile back.

Atkins is a bad fad. read "The Food Revolution", by John Robbins, and get the facts. Also the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine recently released a statement associating Atkins with major health problems, even when used for a short time.

[jane b]

Johnnyzen is again promoting untruths.

Let’s look at facts.

Some people who follow the Aktins diet may indeed eat fewer calories that before but the diet is not calorie restricted.

Researchers studied 40 obese patients aged 12 to 18 at New York’s Schneider Children’s Hospital. They were split into 2 groups, one eat a low-fat diet of 1,100 calories and the other was allowed unlimited calories while eating a carb controlled diet (the average was 1830 calories per day). The group on the low fat diet lost only half as much weight as the carb controlled group. Also the carb-controlled group had greater improvements in cholesterol and triglycerides than those on the low fat diet.

Meat, cheese, bacon bad proteins and no diet like that in the world?

Again let’s look at facts.

The Masai and other African tribes exist largely on a diet of milk, beef and blood, they are free from heart disease and have low cholesterol.

Eskimos eat copious amounts of animal fats from fish and marine animals. They are free of disease and exceptionally hardy.

Several Mediterranean societies have diets that have 70% of their calories from saturated animal fat, such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese. They have low rates of heart disease.

Puerto Ricans consume large amounts of animal fats and have low rates of colon and breast cancer.

A study of Georgia inhabitants revealed that the longest lived eat the most fatty meat.

Okinawans eat generous amounts of pork and seafood and do all their cooking in lard, their average live span is 84 years – longer than the Japanese.

The Japanese eat few dairy fats but they do eat moderate amounts of animal fats from eggs, pork, chicken, beef, seafood and organ meats.

The Swiss live almost as long as the Japanese on one of fattiest diets in the world.

In third place for longevity are Austria and Greece – both of which consume high fat diets.

The French diet is loaded with saturated fat from butter, eggs, cheese, cream, liver, meats and pates. And yet they have a lower incidence of heart disease than most western countries.

The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Senate Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs all claim that animal fat is linked to both heart disease and various cancers. Yet when researchers from the University of Maryland analyzed that data they found that it was vegetable fat that was correlated with high rates of cancer and NOT animal fat.

Atkins advocates a 2-week period of “induction” with 20 grams of carbs (not 10). If constipation is a problem during this initial period a tablespoon of wheat bran sprinkled on salad or other vegetables (how artificial is bran???) is recommended.

If we are honestly to review diet in the light of history we find that it is not the meat eaters that are unusual rather it is the macrobiotic diet that has no precedent. There is no evidence that any group of people have ever followed such a diet for any length of time.

If we are to negate the Atkins diet because the founder supposedly died of injuries resulting from a heart attack let’s at least apply the same logic to the macrobiotic movement and see how it holds up.

Murray Snyder – senior macrobiotic counselor – died of cancer
Aveline Kushi –founder of modern day macrobiotic movement – died of cancer
Lily Kushi – daughter of founder – died of cancer
Herman Aihara – West Coast macrobiotic leader and pioneer – died heart disease
Now numerous leaders and advocates of the macrobiotic lifestyle are developing severe osteoporosis.

Not a good track record at all is it? Especially for a movement that purports to cure and prevent the modern scurges.

I predict that in the next few years we will see saturated animal fat (from organic grass fed sources) gain new respect as a healthful and essential food item and that vegetarian (and macrobiotic ) diets will be shown to be deleterious to longterm health and vitality.

Originally Posted by Johnnyzen

It is calories in the long run, according to most leading authorities. And Atkins advocated meat, cheese, bacon, whatever, bad proteins. No diet in the world is like that, adn no credible organizationi advocates such a ridiculous diet. cancer rates among heavy meat eaters is much higher than plant eaters. And osteoporosis is more prevelant here than in Asiis or other countries. Thim people eat whole foods, not grease adn bacon.

Atkins begins with 10 carbs, adn uses artificial sweeteners and artificial laxitives because the diet lacks fiber. It also lacks whole grains, fresh fruit, and only lettuce and a few bveggies are used.

I have a friend who saw Atkins a week before he died, probably of a heart attack as he fell and went into a coma. He has just had a heart attack awhile back.

Atkins is a bad fad. read "The Food revolution", by John robbins, and get the facts. Also teh Physicians Committee for responsible Medicine recently released a statement associating Atkins with majore health problems, even when used for a short time.

[Bruce Paine]

Jane B.?

You make many of the points that Roger Windsor ( http://www.cybermacro.com/forums/for...orum1/read/927 ) made several years ago, which makes me wonder if since he hasn't been posting here in several years, if you might be Roger posing as a "Jane B.".

What is your interest in macrobiotics?

If one looks at your total posts, one doen't see any positive contributions but instead negatives and criticisms.

Do you or have you ever eaten macrobiotically?

If you are interested in the Nourishing Traditions diet then maybe you'd be more interested in communicating with those folks:

( http://members4.boardhost.com/realfood/ ).

When you get a cold or the flu what do you do?

One problem I have with Sally Fallon and Dr. Weston Price's philosophy is that it places the responsibility for our health and well being back in the hands of others like doctors and other expensive and so called more knowledgeable persons.

Sure you can twist the truth to make it look like eating meat and dairy could be healthier by gathering information or interpreting in in a way that supports your interests, but that doesn't make it true.

Another thing about the Nourishing Traditions cooking is that it takes much longer to prepare these foods as the other meat and dairy foods that the rest of society eats, and it is not hard to imagine persons who follow this dietary philosophy occasionally having a MacDonald's burger, milkshake, or Coke.

About the macrobiotic leaders who died, first of all they all have contributed great things to the macrobiotic movement and I think it's really bad taste and with a lack of gratitude to these folks that you lump them together to try to make a point to attack macrobiotics (how would you like someone to lump together all your ancestors to make some point about you?).

If the majority of all macrobiotic eating people were suffering some detriment from the dietary philosophy and self-healing methods of macrobiotifcs then one could show that something is wrong with it.

But unfortunately, I don't think that you or anyone has that information or "facts".

In the near thirty years that I have been involved in macrobiotics, I have had more and better healing results from using macrobiotic healing methods than medical methods to heal the various ailments that I have encountered.

But before you start arguing "facts", let me tell you that it is a fact that I am Bruce Paine in Boston.

Who are you?

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

Originally Posted by jane b

Johnnyzen is again promoting untruths.

Let’s look at facts.

Some people who follow the Aktins diet may indeed eat fewer calories that before but the diet is not calorie restricted.

Researchers studied 40 obese patients aged 12 to 18 at New York’s Schneider Children’s Hospital. They were split into 2 groups, one eat a low-fat diet of 1,100 calories and the other was allowed unlimited calories while eating a carb controlled diet (the average was 1830 calories per day). The group on the low fat diet lost only half as much weight as the carb controlled group. Also the carb-controlled group had greater improvements in cholesterol and triglycerides than those on the low fat diet.

Meat, cheese, bacon bad proteins and no diet like that in the world?

Again let’s look at facts.

The Masai and other African tribes exist largely on a diet of milk, beef and blood, they are free from heart disease and have low cholesterol.

Eskimos eat copious amounts of animal fats from fish and marine animals. They are free of disease and exceptionally hardy.

Several Mediterranean societies have diets that have 70% of their calories from saturated animal fat, such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese. They have low rates of heart disease.

Puerto Ricans consume large amounts of animal fats and have low rates of colon and breast cancer.

A study of Georgia inhabitants revealed that the longest lived eat the most fatty meat.

Okinawans eat generous amounts of pork and seafood and do all their cooking in lard, their average live span is 84 years – longer than the Japanese.

The Japanese eat few dairy fats but they do eat moderate amounts of animal fats from eggs, pork, chicken, beef, seafood and organ meats.

The Swiss live almost as long as the Japanese on one of fattiest diets in the world.

In third place for longevity are Austria and Greece – both of which consume high fat diets.

The French diet is loaded with saturated fat from butter, eggs, cheese, cream, liver, meats and pates. And yet they have a lower incidence of heart disease than most western countries.

The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Senate Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs all claim that animal fat is linked to both heart disease and various cancers. Yet when researchers from the University of Maryland analyzed that data they found that it was vegetable fat that was correlated with high rates of cancer and NOT animal fat.

Atkins advocates a 2-week period of “induction” with 20 grams of carbs (not 10). If constipation is a problem during this initial period a tablespoon of wheat bran sprinkled on salad or other vegetables (how artificial is bran???) is recommended.

If we are honestly to review diet in the light of history we find that it is not the meat eaters that are unusual rather it is the macrobiotic diet that has no precedent. There is no evidence that any group of people have ever followed such a diet for any length of time.

If we are to negate the Atkins diet because the founder supposedly died of injuries resulting from a heart attack let’s at least apply the same logic to the macrobiotic movement and see how it holds up.

Murray Snyder – senior macrobiotic counselor – died of cancer
Aveline Kushi –founder of modern day macrobiotic movement – died of cancer
Lily Kushi – daughter of founder – died of cancer
Herman Aihara – West Coast macrobiotic leader and pioneer – died heart disease
Now numerous leaders and advocates of the macrobiotic lifestyle are developing severe osteoporosis.

Not a good track record at all is it? Especially for a movement that purports to cure and prevent the modern scurges.

I predict that in the next few years we will see saturated animal fat (from organic grass fed sources) gain new respect as a healthful and essential food item and that vegetarian (and macrobiotic ) diets will be shown to be deleterious to longterm health and vitality.

[Nancy]

Bruce Paine,

It is completely inappropriate to post in the Main Forum by accusing other Cybermacro members of posing with alternate identities. Please refrain from airing such suspicions. This is old history, do not bring it into the present forum. If you disagree with the opinions posted in a response, please address only the points of the discussion, and refrain from personal attack. The Internet is an anonymous medium of communication, thus please address posters by their chosen Internet name. Civil difference of opinion is welcome and to be expected.

Certainly anyone is encouraged to post their own thoughts and opinions on the macrobiotic diet, the Atkins diet, and may input their own opinion regarding figureheads of macrobiotics. If you disagree, disagree civily.

Please refrain from using incendiary language, i.e. "twist the truth", and have respect for other's honest opinions.

Your post has a ridiculing tone which is not welcome in this forum.

May I remind everyone to (highlight and delete) the post you are responding to, rather than reprinting the previous post in its entirety.

Nancy
Moderator

[Johnnyzen]

With all due respect, Nancy,I don't think Bruce is totally out of line.This is not a pro-Atkins forum. That person has twisted many facts. She fails to mention, for example, that the Okanowan diet is very close to macrobiotics, and they are considered healthy and have long life spans. My macro counsellor was from Africa, and he said the diet there was, for the most part,macrobiotic. That is what brought him to the diet.He claimed that African peasants basically ate a diet that is very close to Macro recommendations. Meat consumption was under 4 ounces a day, and fat was low.Dr. McDoughall came to similar conclusions. He did many studies of various cultures, and found that most had a very low fat, high starch diet, extremely low in amimal foods and fat. Alex Jack quotes many studies showing macro children to be above average in mental and physical development compared to children on the standard American diet (SAD).

Her remarks about macrobiotics are inaccurate. Unfortunately, more stdies need to be done on low fat vegetarian diets. the studies on Atkins were all sponsored by Atkins, by the way! I know a guy who saw Atkins before he fell and died. He said he looked miserable, and thinks he may have had a second heart attack before he died. I am not saying that his diet killed him, and I don't think we can say that Aveline Kushi's diet killed her either. there are many factors besides diet that affect our health.

Bruce should not be vindicated here. He is merely defending his position against somebody who obviously opposes Macrobiotics totally. Why is she in here? Has she had any experience with Macrobiotics? I agree taht Bruce should not accuse her of being somebody else, but other than that, I find his remarks appropriate.

Ecological considerations of a heavy meat diet are not being discussed here, as wll as the inhumane conditions of factory farming. We need to consider what Atkins and others are doing to our planet by advocating sucn an unbalanced diet.Just when people like John Robbins and others convinced Americans to cut down on beef and other products, Atkins boosts it up to its old levels.

Also, the Eskimos are not as healthy as she lets on. they have the highest levels of osteoporosis according to studies, not the macros, and a rather short life span. And she mentions Puerto Ricans. What is their average life span? In fact, Asians have lower levels then Americans, and consume much less dairy products. I trus the studies of the Physicians for Responsible Medicine over meat and diary studies, or Atkins studies!

Bottom line; Atkins contains little fiber, may cause constipation, and definitely causes very bad breath. I met a guy who lost a lot of weight on Atkins, but when he was talking to me, I had to stand 10 feet away from him. He looked pretty good, but is it worth it? Quick weight loss is not as important as health. Quick fixeds are not the answer. Macrobiotics is about developing sensible eating habits, limiting addictiong foods like meat, dairy and sugar. I highly recommend Dr. Neal Barnard's new book on food addictions. It verifies many points that I have made.

[jane b]

It is obvious that the originator of this thread is not going to get a factual reply to their question about the Atkins diet.

I would therefore suggest that for that fact they visit http://atkins.com/ and asses for themselves whether the Atkins diet holds any validity.

Then read "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon in the spirit of non credo.

It seems that Johhnyzen has never had a conversation with a macrobiotic person. They are famous for having rancid breath!

I remember one time being caught between two senior macrobiotic teachers -- talk about bad breath in stereo. It was enough to peel the paint off the wall!!

[Johnnyzen]

Jane is losing credibility fast here. I am she she knows that Atkins causes ketosis, which causes seeious bad breath. She also knows that many Atkins people take laxatives because the diet is almost void of natural fiber. I am sure she also knows that a diet low in fiber can cause serious health problems.

I am sure some macro people have bad breath on occasion, if they eat too much garlic! I have not noticed it as a problem with macro people at all.

Some Europeans do eat a rather rich diet, but the portions are small, and theydo eat many fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. The Hunzas, by the way, are very macro; they eat almost no animal foods except for special feasts. Theirs is a whole gerain starch based diet.They are known for their good health. The Asian studies on semi-vegetarianism are interesting as far as verifying the benefits of a plant based diet.

Atkins is just plain ridiculous on many levels. I know many more Atkins people than I do macro, since it is very popular here. Very few have had sustained weight loss. Several got very sick on the diet. One was hospitalized for kidney problems.

Dr Klaper, who wrote a book on vegan nutrition, used to be a heart surgeon. He describes what he saw with his patients who ate many animal products. It is not pretty.I will spare you the details!!!!

Personally, I have been vegetarian around 32 years, not strictly macro. I have a consistant blood pressure of 110 over 60, very low cholesterol, I exercise hard most days, and am in good health. I think I will stick with plant foods!

[Nancy]

Dear Johnny,

Thanks for your comments, you are a valued member of Cybermacro's online community. The moderator's guidelines I set down for Bruce asked him to refrain from suspicious and personal attacks on other members of Cybermacro. If any one member feels that another's viewpoint is false or misleading, remind yourself to address the points of discussion without attacking the person. Bruce has long experience posting in online macrobiotic forums, is articulate in words, and able to comply with guidelines for civil discussion.

As a macrobiotic person myself and moderator of this website, I do not agree with many of the points Jane B. raised, either. However, she has the right to put forth her opinion and others have the right to rebutt. This is a macrobiotic website, yet any public person may come here with questions, comments, differences of opinion, and voice them.

The comments in your follow up post are well taken and should be addressed to Jane, as she has the opinion you differ with. Yet, I thank you for detailing your points for the greater community to read.

The popularity of the Atkins Diet is due to the fact -it works- to achieve rapid weight loss, just as the Doctors Quick Weight Loss Diet of the past worked very effectively and quickly to shed pounds fast. This does not mean it is healthy. The problem with obesity today is that people eat too much, are too inactive, and have been gradually manipulated into extremely large portion sizes by the fast food and restaurant industries. Even children at the age of 12 are undergoing gastric by-pass surgery because they weigh 350 lbs. and their stomachs are stretched to the size of a watermelon. After surgery, which can be dangerous, their stomachs are the size of a golf ball, yet they are resigned to a future of mandatory, doctor guided, nutritional supplementation.

Macrobiotics promotes organic, whole, healthy foods, with whole grains and vegetables as the staples. Anyone who begins a macrobiotic practice soon learns how good they feel, how much energy they gain, while losing aches and pains, and ending the encroachment of degenerative diseases. In addition, there is a gradual, safe, healthy, decline in weight. Macrobiotics teaches how important it is to exercise moderately at least 30 minutes per day. While learning this new way of life, people learn to cook for themselves and appreciate nature's God given foods, including all the people who worked to provide them to our tables. It teaches gratitude to the creator, to others in our lives, and enhances individual concern for the preservation of the planet, natural resources and world peace. On the other hand, animal food products are increasingly contaminated with bacteria, fecal matter, e coli, salmonella, rapid growth hormones, and antibiotics which cripple the human immune system. Cattle farms are wasting, eroding, and contaminating valuable land that could be better utilized for agriculture, especially organic farming which enhances soil values.

Jonnyzen:
Bruce should not be vindicated here. He is merely defending his position against somebody who obviously opposes Macrobiotics totally. Why is she in here? Has she had any experience with Macrobiotics? I agree that Bruce should not accuse her of being somebody else, but other than that, I find his remarks appropriate.

As moderator of the forum, I reserve the right to set the discussion back on the right track addressing only the issues, and steering it away from personal attack. I agree, Bruce should not be vindicated (absolved), as he knows full well how to maintain his side in a civil discussion. I maintain, Jane B. may bring up her viewpoint. It is the responsiblity of others in the discussion to counterpoint intelligently.

Johnnyzen:
Ecological considerations of a heavy meat diet are not being discussed here, as well as the inhumane conditions of factory farming. We need to consider what Atkins and others are doing to our planet by advocating such an unbalanced diet. Just when people like John Robbins and others convinced Americans to cut down on beef and other products, Atkins boosts it up to its old levels.

Good points...discuss away...no one is stopping you...

May I remind everyone to calm down, and think twice before sending flaming e mail to a forum, as it arrives just that way in everyone's inbox. If ever a member needs to delete a previously ill thought out post or edit one already in existence, please use the editing tools provided to every member as a feature of Cybermacro forums.

Nancy
Moderator

[Johnnyzen]

Thanks, Nancy. I appreciate your comments and your expertise. Your comments inspire me to stay on this path. How long have you been macro? could you discuss how it helped you over time?

[themis]

Originally Posted by Teri Steiner

I wanted to know the response to the 'apparent success' of those on the Atkins Diet. What are the risks and what are they getting themseles into. What is the MB Community's formal reponse? Is data being tallied on problems associated?

Hi all and Hello Teri. I am very new to this forum, and just investigating macrobiotics myself (I do not yet know much about it, but am interested). I have been, however, on Atkins for the past few years. I have read all of Atkins' books and have visited the Atkins Ctr (when it was open) although I never met Dr. Atkins. I can at least speak a bit about what the Atkins diet is, and about my experience (which is, of course, only one person's opinion). I am not here to advocate for or against Atkins, just to state the facts of what the books say, and what the Atkins program actually is. It has been the healthy eating I began on Atkins that has led me now to look into macrobiotics, only because the two diets actually seemed similar to me. So, please, everyone else, don't attack me for sharing this, I am simply trying to help answer part of Teri's question.

Regarding the Atkins diet:

In the Induction phase, which is NOT meant to last more than 14 days, and is only for those seeking to lose significant amounts of weight, one eats 20 grams of carbs per day, all from vegetables (mainly leafy greens). This is when one is meant to enter ketosis, and as such you also eat a lot of fats and protein.

After Induction, you begin gradually adding in more carbs coming from grains, vegetables and fruits (sometimes as low as 30 to 40g, but often up to 60 or 70g per day)--the quantities and types depend upon your own metabolism, health, and desired weight loss (you also add gradually, one new food at a time, to help identify and isolate and food allergies you may have). You also include good fats in moderation (but more than would be allowed, obviously,on a low fat diet). You stay in this "ongoing weight loss" phase until you reach your goal weight.

Here's what the most misunderstood part is--I believe. After you reach your goal weight, Atkins advocates an "Atkins for life" diet. It is an organic diet,made up of fish and lean meats, allowing for a good deal of complex carbs (whole grains/etc) and fruits and vegetables. See "Atkins for Life" to see for yourself what exactly Atkins advocated-it is decidedly NOT a diet of bacon and cheese and fat. It is actually quite balanced and natural.

My own experience with Atkins has been quite positive, I lost weight, kept it off, and cleared up a host of minor health problems. I did not ever need to take laxitives nor did I have bad breath (and trust me-I was really worried abt this having heard the rumors). These problems are both effects of severe ketosis, usually only experienced in the first 14 days of induction, if at all, and Atkins suggests adding more fiber and drinking more water if you experience them. I followed the Atkins program very carefully and exercised as recommended.

I think a big problem with Atkins is that many people go on some kind of "homemade" Atkins diet where they eat nothing but protein and fats for months-and yes, often they get sick. I know of people who have done this, they were not actually following the Atkins program. Atkins is a somewhat complicated diet plan that, like any other, requires one to read and understand the program thoroughly before doing it. I do not believe it is a "bad fad" if it is done correctly and one approaches it as a lifestyle change (as Atkins sets it out to be) and not a quick fix diet to lose some pounds.


As far as studies, there have been a few non-Atkins sponsored ones, but they were mostly short term, although with positive results in the short term. I do know that recently the NIH (national institute of health) has begun a government sponsored two or three year study to get to the bottom of all the controversy surrounding Atkins. I know I am glad to hear it and am exited to see the results!

Overall,my personal experience on Atkins was and is good! I am not here to advocate Atkins over Macrobiotic, as I said earlier, I was at this website investigating macrobiotics myself. I will continue my investigation and studies, as I am still interested.

I will simply comment, though, that some of the posts in this subject strain were really disappointing to me. Personal attacks on each other, and even on Dr. Atkins (who died after a slip and fall on ice, and never had a heart attack, but had a hereditary heart condition for many years--see the spring 2003 New York Times story regarding this if you doubt me) seem to me to be a bit uncalled for, and outside of what I though the philosophy behind macrobiotics is. And, overall, just in really bad taste.

Good luck Teri! Hope this helped a little bit?