Myth or not?

[mlm1117]

Hey everyone! My name is Melanie and my husband and I are thinking about starting this WOL. We have already read the book, and think this would be a great fit for us. We had decent luck with "The Biggest Loser" diet this past spring, but soon stalled out and got bored and are hoping to find success with Atkins. My husband needs to lose around 60 lbs, but I need to shed over 3 times that much. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure. I also need to have my gall bladder removed because it is not functioning properly (so non-emergency) but because of my weight all doctors recommend that I wait since I am too high risk for surgery. The saddest part is that I am only 27 and way too young to have this many medical issues.


I mentioned that I may start Atkins and my mom flipped out telling me it would damage my liver/kidneys. Is this true? In my opinion, being obese is probably more likely to damage my organs than this WOL, but I am curious if there is any research out there to the contrary. I would really love some insight and I know that this board is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks in advance!

[DuchessOfDork]

Re: Myth or not?

There is no evidence that I've seen that Atkins damages your liver and kidneys. From what I've heard, that's a myth.

I think you'll have great success on this WOE if you give it a shot.

[kate58]

Re: Myth or not?

There were some suggestions way back that it damaged the kidneys (never heard the liver one) but nobody was ever able to produce any evidence for that. I think it arose from Dr A saying that anyone with a pre-existing kidney condition should take advice from their physician. If it had been a real issue, with the number of people eating this way, we would surely have seen evidence of it in the Medical press by now. There is nothing.

You will get a LOT of that sort of thing when you are on Atkins. Ignore it, they soon stop when the weight starts going and you are looking loads healthier and fitter.

Given all the issues you have I would highly recommend that you also read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes, or watch this (very) long lecture he gave at Berkeley. It will totally change the way you think about health and food and weight and arm you well for the naysayers.

[Jace]

Re: Myth or not?

Welcome to !

As far as kidneys go, if they are healthy before starting Atkins then this WOL will not harm them. However, if you have kidney problems prior to starting Atkins, the preexisting problem may be exacerbated and this may not be the best WOL to follow. If you are unsure, always speak to your doctor first and get his/her advice.

If you need anything please feel free to give a shout and best of luck on your weight loss journey!

~Far la bella figura!

[bivium6]

Re: Myth or not?

In all the research I've done about Atkins, all the studies that say Atkins is bad for you are the ones who don't follow the book.

[LCer09]

Re: Myth or not?

I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure.

Wow. You really, really need to be on Atkins. Seriously, this was me a few years back, and Atkins cured ALL of that, plus knocked off about 100lbs. Feel free to chat with me if you have any questions, I lurk more than anything around here, and don't read the boards much anymore. My mother still thinks I'm going to die, mothers are just that way sometimes.

[SandyL2002]

Re: Myth or not?

Hi... I want to tell you what Atkins does for me... It helps my Gerd issues(major heartburn)...My headaches go away...My IBS goes away... Too me that is so worth it..

YES you eat a lot of meat the first week...because you are using FAT to get rid of the Sugar Cravings.. But we eat VEGGIES...lots of them..and if a VEGGIE is bad for you...I don't know what to say...lol

Once you get past the detox of the bad carbs.. White Sugar, White Flour...you will start to eat less meat... Then as you move into Owl phase..you will start to add things back in.. YES you will have Fruit again.. YES you will have Whole Grains..Milk products...etc...

[Mirya]

Re: Myth or not?

Hey everyone! My name is Melanie and my husband and I are thinking about starting this WOL. We have already read the book, and think this would be a great fit for us. We had decent luck with "The Biggest Loser" diet this past spring, but soon stalled out and got bored and are hoping to find success with Atkins. My husband needs to lose around 60 lbs, but I need to shed over 3 times that much. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure. I also need to have my gall bladder removed because it is not functioning properly (so non-emergency) but because of my weight all doctors recommend that I wait since I am too high risk for surgery. The saddest part is that I am only 27 and way too young to have this many medical issues.


I mentioned that I may start Atkins and my mom flipped out telling me it would damage my liver/kidneys. Is this true? In my opinion, being obese is probably more likely to damage my organs than this WOL, but I am curious if there is any research out there to the contrary. I would really love some insight and I know that this board is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks in advance!

Wth your already present medical issues discuss this with your doctor before starting as you may do damage to youself, as with ANY diet. ATKINS diet is protein and veggies for the most part. Its a personal choice to eat the fatty foods. If something happens to the liver and kidneys that your referring to its more than likely something that was already present and undetected but irritated by the liquid flow or chemical changes in the body. In the body of the average/normal person this diet is absolutely perfect but as it says in the book if you already have medical issues you should always consult a physician before starting ANY diet. Not just this one.

Hope that helps a bit.

[kate58]

Re: Myth or not?

I agree with Miyra about talking to your doctor, but if he/she is one of those who are anti-low carb, then try to speak with one who knows more about this way of eating or at least who is open to the idea. They are becoming more common.

I have to take issue with this though:

ATKINS diet is protein and veggies for the most part. Its a personal choice to eat the fatty foods.

Not really, the high fat is the key thing, not an optional thing. Atkins is a high fat, moderate protein, controlled carbohydrate diet. Most of your calories should come from fat, about 65% during induction, less later but still a high percentage.

[*Emma*]

Re: Myth or not?

Yep just the thing i was going to pick out.

Atkins is a high fat diet, period.

if you aint eating high fat, you aint doing Atkins!

the thing i struggle with is keeping my protein percentage low, of all things. so i would never consider this a high protein diet!

[Hudson]

Re: Myth or not?

If I were you I would do Atkins - like start today or maybe yesterday. You have a chance for huge improvement in your life and your health. You might fix every health problem that you have.

As Kate58 said if you want the info get Taubes book. It will probably blow your mind. It did mine. If you read that book no anti-Atkinser will ever intimidate you.

Total Commitment!! Go for it!!

What did Atkins do for me?
Lost about 90 lbs, greatly improved skin, no more acid reflux, huge energy increase, no mood swings, no more high blood pressure (as high as 188/120), HDL of 88.

[tcv]

Re: Myth or not?

Er... what if the doctor says it will give her heart disease? Isn't there quite a lot of resistance to the diet in the medical community still?

Edit: I recommend Taubes' book as well. I just finished it. It's a long read and can be quite dry, but concentrate and follow the arguments and you'll find it quite interesting.

[*Emma*]

Re: Myth or not?

I had kidney pains my first time round on Atkins, i went to see my doc and he told me it was severe dehydration, thats what happens if you dont follow the rules!! i now ensure i drink my water, plus some!

but other than that, its all a loada crap!

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Myth or not?

You say that you have read the book. If you have the 2002 edition, go back and read page 99 -100. He addresses this myth there and in several other sections.

I did in fact have previous kidney damage, but my doctor okayed Atkins because he knew I already drank a lot of water and he knew that weighing almost 300 pounds was bad for every condition from which I suffer. I have blood work done every 90 days and since starting Atkins and losing 120 pounds, my kidney function has never been better. My liver was damaged by too many antibiotics in 2006, but it has healed itself completely as I continue on with this WOL. Every aspect of my health is tremendously better.

Before you start, go to your doctor and have a check up with blood work and go from there.

Here's what I looked like in 2005:


Here's what I look like in 2007: Do I look like a sick person???


Sunny!

[pamelainaustin]

Re: Myth or not?

Melanie,

I will echo the others in advising you to speak with your doctor regarding whether or not Atkins is appropriate for your individual situation. I am not sure what sort of gall bladder problem you have but I do know that eating high fat foods can trigger gall bladder attacks in people with gallstones since bile from the liver is stored in the gall bladder and released in response to eating fat. Hopefully, Atkins will be both safe and effective for you. You are very smart to be attempting to address your health issues.

Pam