The Cardiologist Says...

[prozacwoman]

My best friend was telling me that her cardiologist (she has peripartum cardiomyopathy) told her that the Atkins diet is almost the same as the diet they feed lab rats to get them to lay down plaque in their arteries. What's different about Atkins that it doesn't do that to us? I mean, I hear over and over again that everyone's lab numbers are going down into healthy ranges, so I can't see how it would make rats lay down plaque but not human beings? Unless you can lay down plaque without having high triglycerides or LDL??

xo,

AJ the Confused

[Iapetus999]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Last I checked I wasn't a lab rat.

My LDL is so low that it's off the chart.

'Course that doesn't mean that I'm not laying down plaque...it's just a number on a piece of paper.

And they probably fed the rats lard and nothing else.

[ttdriver]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

I agree, I am NOT a lab rat!!

I have an HDL of 106 ... and LDL of 119 and Trigs of 109. I eat ALOT of red meat, butter, mayo ... lots of good fats .. omega 3s, etc. I run ALOT .. 35 miles a week ... I burn FAT for fuel .. did the lab rats?? I weigh 93.5, have a BMI of 16.6 and 6 pack abs....did the lab rats? Ever see a skinny, muscular, toned rat who was ready to turn 50?



Betty

[Iapetus999]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

ver see a skinny, muscular, toned rat who was ready to turn 50?

Does Mickey Mouse count?

[ttdriver]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Does Mickey Mouse count?

Trust me, I see him alot at DW and he's got a fat gut. He could stand to begin a serious running program.

Betty

[Finelly]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Well......

Lab rats get fed a consistent diet of mostly fat plus a little protein and a lot of refined carbs to get them to build up the plaque. They are prevented from exercising and get no fiber.

They are fed this regimen forever.

People on Atkins consume a diet, in the first part of the woe (Induction) of mostly fat and protein, with fiber in the form of veggies. Exercise is required.

After a short period on induction (anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 year), people start gradually introducing new foods, thus reducing their fat consumption while slowly increasing healthy carbs in the forms of veggies, fruits, dairy products,and whole grains.

I would assume that if you fed me the rats' diet and kept me in a cage where I couldn't exercise, I'd be building up plaque, too.

[Iapetus999]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

I would assume that if you fed me the rats' diet and kept me in a cage where I couldn't exercise, I'd be building up plaque, too.

Hmm an all-rat diet?
I wonder if that would be effective...
Are rats Induction Friendly?

[Finelly]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

They are if they are fed the rat diet. If not, they are too lean, lololol

[goin2Bgood]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Rat-on-a-stick?

[prozacwoman]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

You guys! LOL You're cracking me up! giggle You know, I've heard in some other country (China maybe?) they sell canned rat meat under the brand name "Star", which is "rats" spelled backwards. Urban legend? I dunno. But it's interesting, no?

Yeah, I'll have to get my friend to ask her card. if the rats get alot of refined carbs and never get to move either (kinda like my diet before Atkins...grin). I didn't think that made sense, since everybody seems to have great cholesterol, etc!

Thanks!

xo,

AJ

[Finelly]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Rat-on-a-stick?
__________________

Yes, sort of like corn dogs, but without the breading. <g>

[prozacwoman]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Corn rats? giggle

xo,

AJ

[tickletussler]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

AJ, I'm curious to see what studies the cardiologist is basing her statement on. I'm not saying I'm questioning her statement, but it would be interesting to see the conditions these rats were placed under and what factors they were considering in the experiment - it would be an interesting read.

And not to gross anyone out, rats are eaten in China. I don't know about the brand name or whether they're sold in tins or not, but especially out in the country, rats are commonly caught and roasted/fried and eaten especially in the poorer areas. One of my Aussie friends whose girlfriend is from China had the opportunity to sample it... along with frogs and other whatnots, and he said it tasted... like chicken!

[prozacwoman]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

Chicken, huh? lol Well, what the heck, meat is meat, right? Although I've had pet rats and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to eat any of them, but if I'd been starving, I'm sure they'd have been the first to go.

xo,

AJ

[Finelly]

Re: The Cardiologist Says...

You know, after giving this a lot of thought, I'm gonna stick with something else that tastes just like chicken.

Chicken.