If the consumer is not receiving advise from a dietition or doctor, it is up to them to verify for themselves what is fact and what is fiction. For many years, the low carb establishment has maintained that you can lose weight by changing the amount and in some cases the types of carbs, protein and fats consumed.

And for many years the mainstream medical establishment has scoffed at the Atkins weight loss theory of losing weight through ketosis not through maintaining a negative calorie balance and labelled it irresponsible and unhealthy.

There are cries of cardiovascular and cholesterol risks not just because of the red meat, but because of the lower carbohydrate and therefore lower fiber intake recommended. Many authorities will not recommend it as a viable weight loss solution, and indeed is censored by relevant government authorities in many countries. Despite the bad press, there have been thousands of reported cases of individuals losing weight by eating more protein and fewer carbohydrates.

During the last couple of years, findings of research have been filtering through that there that have been promoted in weight loss books and websites. Atkins press releases seize the opportunity to validate what they've been saying for years.

Some would say (particularly dietitions and nutritionists) that the people who joined the low-carb band wagon were naive, unkowledgeable and ready to try anything. There are those who have taken aspects of the low carb diets out of context and have done silly things like eating nothing but pork rinds and Atkins bars and wandered why they weren't losing weight. This is the danger of popular diet books where no individual professional support can be given.

However, to be fair, many low carb-ers today are forward thinking, health conscious (not just weight conscious) and intelligent and logical thinkers and do receive some support as I believe there is an Atkins telephone helpline available to U.S. residents, which if you're interested is 1-800-2-ATKINS. As to whether this is purely a promotional tool or truely a helpline, I am not sure.

For many low carb-ers eating a low carb diet is similar to eating the way we did years ago before we had access to soda and bagels in mass proportions. Now, I am not an advocate of low carb diets, in fact I don't recommend "cookie cutter" diets, but I do see that for many, it is providing welcome relief to stubborn weight and health problems that previously have been difficult to treat, and that independent research is starting to support the results that have been seen in thousands of low carb success testimonials.

As a side note, I feel I must add, if you're new to the diet scene and assessing whether or not low carb eating is for you, I do have one word of warning, please be aware that research findings can be manipulated and that findings of research that have been funded by commercial interests such as those within the low carb community may not be as impartial as it appears. I am not saying that their research isn't impartial or accurate, but to be really sure, a truly independent study should not have links to interested commercial parties.

References:

Due A, Toubro S, Skov AR, Astrup A. Effect of normal-fat diets, either medium or high in protein, on body weight in overweight subjects: a randomised 1-year trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Oct;28(10):1283-90.

Atkins Press Release July 2004: Controlled-carbohydrate research from around the world.

USA Today: E.J. Mundell, HealthDay 10/29/2004 Low-carb diets may hurt heart health

Copyright © 2004 Jenny Mathers All Rights Reserved.