I've been on the Atkins diet for over 4 years now. I lost 15 lbs. - wasn't too overweight to start with. I had previously messed around with being a vegetarian and had severe migraines all the time. After being diagnosed with "fibromyalgia" (or whatever I have, it's more like chronic fatigue) I found a book entitled "What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Fibromyalgia" by Dr. Paul St. Amand, MD.
He suggested a low carb diet which I tried and IMMEDIATELY felt better. I eat primarily meat, fish, chicken and veggies (lots of veggies). When I eat fruit, it's a piece of fruit, not a glass of juice which is loaded with carbs. The trick is to eat the high carb fruits at least 2-3 hours before or after the meat/protein.
I am almost 60 and my blood pressure has returned to normal. My cholesterol is high but my HDL (good cholesterol) is also very high so that protects me!!
If the government "experts" think it's a bad diet, it's probably a good diet.
Now if the FDA would only allow our beef to be tested for "mad cow". But I guess the depopulation crowd is planning a spongy end for meat eaters like me!!