Doctors call Atkins diet 'dangerous'

UPI ^ | 3-19-04

[Indy Pendance]

WASHINGTON, March 19 (UPI) -- U.S. and Australian nutritionists are calling the popular Atkins diet a dangerous practice and are urging public health agencies to issue public warnings.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to follow the lead of an Australian health minister and warn the public about the dangers of high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets.

The health minister, Bronwyn Pike, unveiled a new campaign to alert people to the dangers of the Atkins diet and other high-fat fad diets. The Australian government will distribute educational materials in doctors' waiting rooms, gyms and universities, to be followed by an advertising campaign.

Numerous scientific studies link consumption of meat-heavy diets with heart disease, kidney problems and possibly colon cancer. Short-term risks include fatal cardiac arrhythmias and mood disturbances. In a letter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, the PCRM detailed the risks and recommended the U.S. government follow Australia's lead.

"We commend the Australian health minister in Victoria for warning its citizens of the dangers of high-fat, low-carb diets and urge Tommy Thompson to do the same," said Amy Joy Lanou, PCRM's nutrition director.

[TankerKC]

Here we go again. Do a google search on the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

[Dog Gone]

Isn't this the front group for PETA?

[groanup]

Are you finished? OK, back to my bacon and cheese. BTW, aren't doctors more dangerous than the Atkins diet?

[briant]

Horrible article, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a vegan group with a political agenda.

[Indy Pendance]

Yep, good to know what they are up to though.

[saluki_in_ohio]

<9>Isn't this the front group for PETA?

Yes they are.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Why would anyone buy into anything promoted by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine? They promote vegitarian diets, non-animal medical trials and other similar agendas.

[chilepepper]

Let's see, Doctor Archer, Doctor Daniels and Doctor Midland no doubt??

[Viking2002]

You're damned right it's dangerous. I can't eat pasta, rice, fresh-baked bread, drink beer, and that made me a very unsavory character to be around. Which is why I chucked the whole idea and just went with a low-fat diet loaded with my favorite veggies. :-)

[Dog Gone]

Thanks.

[.38sw]

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Saaaaay, don't those guys have some kind of animal rights agenda? Or am I just an overly suspicious sort?

[SoDak]

General Mills, Barilla, and Quaker too. I read a story about Barilla pasta financing some symposium held by this group last fall.

[yhwhsman]

aren't doctors more dangerous than the Atkins diet?

Yep, don't doctors kill over 100,000 people every year?

[truth_seeker]

Research the Cooper Institute, after an Air Force MD.

They put together basic research on aerobic exercize and good diet.

Covert Bailey wrote "Fit or Fat" which covers basics with simplicity and humor.

None of these have anything to do with PETA or vegans.

A meat based diet is heavy in protein and fat, of which the body needs fairly little.

OTOH the body needs mainly carbs, for fuel.

I think Atkins appeals to many, as a "couch-potato plus eat-as-you-please solution." IOW "you'll get enough exercize, going back and forth to the refrigerator."

[Future Useless Eater]

I suggest these 'doctors' back up their hyperbole with
clinical studies of the patients' blood chemistry
both before and after Atkins...

Oops, too late.

Numerous large clinical studies reported
much IMPROVED blood tests with Atkins.

[Future Useless Eater]

>>Why would anyone buy into anything promoted by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine? They promote vegitarian diets, non-animal medical trials and other similar agendas.

Great point! That says it all!

[xjcsa]

NUTRITIONISTS ARE NOT DOCTORS!
NUTRITIONISTS ARE NOT DOCTORS!

(misleading title)

[groanup]

"Yep, don't doctors kill over 100,000 people every year?"

I actually heard it was more like 150,000. But, what the hell, 50,000 give or take is irrelevant because doctors are such IMPORTANT people.

[groanup]

NUTRITIONISTS ARE NOT DOCTORS!

NUTRITIONISTS ARE NOT DOCTORS!

And doctors are not nutritionists. As late as ten years ago there was not a requirement for nutrition courses in medical schools.