danger in a low carb lifestyle

[tracyb1218]

i just wondered if anyone has ever experienced or knew anyone who had problems resulting from the atkins diet. i have followed the diet in the past with some success ( i didnt stick with it ) but everytime i think im ready to follow it again i read an article stating that restricting your carbs can result in serious health problems i have read the book and understand it. i just wondered if anyone has any feed back. thankyou tracy

[kate58]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

I've never heard an actual believeable or verifiable report of anyone coming to any harm from Atkins. I have heard some "my cousin's friend's mother's hairdresser's aunt got kidney stones" type stuff, which can only be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

The best advice I can give you is to get hold of and read Gary Taubes book, Good Calories, Bad Calories, or failing that have a listen to his lecture here (the book is still worth getting even after hearing him speak), it will really give you the background on low carb, and low fat for that matter, like nothing else can.

[misplaced southerner]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

tracy...you are restricting carbs initially....but if you progress up thru the rungs properly you will introduce healthy carbs...veggies and lower glycemic foods...basically once you get to the top of the ladder so to speak you are eating more fats and healthy carbs in the form of great veggies and healthy grains...what can be unhealthy about that? my blood pressure this morning was 115/64....my cholesterol has dropped from 202 to 160....doc says i have never been healthier in my life. there is lots to read out there on this woe.....continue to inform yourself. you will read all kinds of "stuff"....it is not for everyone but it IS for me. my body feels better than ever and the numbers speak for themselves. good luck!

[SunnySmile501]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

How can there be a serious health risk from eating healthy meats, fats (like olive oil), loads of healthy veggies and cutting out completely sugar and white flour and junk food? Within a very short while, you start adding back in fruit. Tomatoes and bell peppers are very healthy fruit, and they are allowed on Induction.

Believe what you like. How healthy was the diet that got you fat in the first place? If you look at our before and after pictures, you will see a lot of healthy people.

Sunny!

[brandywine1241]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

Tracy, the next time you read an article that disturbs you,why don't you post a link to it here? I'm sure someone will be able to comment intelligently on it.

[mitzimarie]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

Tracy - my doctor is the one who put me on Atkins, so I have 100% faith in it.

I love what Kate says here: "I've never heard an actual believeable or verifiable report of anyone coming to any harm from Atkins. I have heard some "my cousin's friend's mother's hairdresser's aunt got kidney stones" type stuff, which can only be taken with a very large pinch of salt."

So true!

The people who get sick from Atkins, aren't really doing Atkins. There are so many people with the mentality of "If fewer carbs is a good thing, then no carbs would be better". NO, NO, NO!!! But I have even seen a few members on this board like that. Those are the people who get sick, and give Atkins a bad name. And the frustrating part is, they weren't doing Atkins correctly... yet, they are the ones that get the attention.

If you have any lingering doubts, you must read the Taubes book that Kate mentioned. It is a bit technical for my taste, but a very important read. It explains a lot.

Good luck to you.

[sallyseachange]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

By the time you reach the maintenance phase of Atkins, all you've really taken out of your diet is sugar, refined flour and highly processed foods. You'll have added exercise, more water and sensible supplementation. Nothing very unhealthy about all that, imho.

Most people on Atkins find that their "health" numbers (B/P, cholesterol and blood sugar) improve dramatically too.

Unfortunately there are a whole lot of scare mongerers out there, and even more ignorant people who just spout what they've heard others saying without verifying anything.

Don't worry... Atkins is healthy.

[mystic]

Re: danger in a low carb lifestyle

I'd just be careful about the phrase "restricting your carbs". What does that mean? When someone says that, exactly what do they mean? Critics like to use blanket statements like that which are usually fabricated to confuse those who haven't read the material for themselves. Atkins doesn't "restrict carbs" in a blanket way, it suggests a more intelligent schedule of carbs over a prescribed period of time.

I think if there's any risk, it's that people don't follow the plan correctly and end up burning off their lean body mass. Burn the fat, not the muscle.