Atikins diet info and why NOT to do it...

[2ordinary]

"He is a cardiologist and has many studies that show that bad cholesterol is lowered, blood pressure is lowered, etc when on his diet"

He has never published any of these studies in medically accepted, peer-reviewed journals. This is like saying that I've done many studies showing that eating beets is the best way to reduce your cholesterol without providing the data for my statement for scientific scrutiny. This peer-review process (though far from perfect) is what separates quackery from science.

Yes but you have many many testimonials from people and using this empirical evidence seems just as relevant to me. Saying that everything has to have been through a scientific experiment to be true would be a bit ridiculous. And we all know that AS work, but there have been limited amounts of scientific studies done with them in recent years. I'll take the testimonials from many people who have taken a particular AS as evidence that they work without a peer-reviewed process any day. I'll also take as testimonial the many people who have lowered their bad cholesterol and blood pressure from the Atkins diet.

 

[KWKSLVR]

Well put MS, i agree 100%

Dr. Atkins has not formally published any studys of his own that i know of. What he does publish are the combined results of 30 years worth of patients. I have read about different study's and test cases he and his staff have partaken in, however, i haven't read them in any medical journals. Weather they are there or not, i don't know, i don't read medical journals lol.

Most people in the medical community do think he's nuts, which is not suprising, but to Atkin's credit, i have never found any medical study's that rebuttle his research. What i have found have been study's that restrict carbs (not nearly as severely) and they see similiar results.

IMHO Atkins is an extremiest, but hell, it works for me and i have no complaints over his methods. When i look at most "Medical Study's" they all seem to shoot each other down anyway

 

[KWKSLVR]

2ordinary - I see Atkins just like the majority of the people on this board see the "experts" here. They all try different work out and diet methods basied on the results of the populous.

While most say that this is unscientific, i somewhat disagree. Is it completely scientific? Well, no, but at the same time, to me, it provides the same level of research and evidence. It may not always provide the definative "How" but it provides the results so to speak.

 

[MS]

I commend you folks that recognize the diff between peer-review and anecdote. I hope you at least understand the misgivings the medical community has after over 30 years of health benefits attested by Dr Atkins. 30 years of earning a heck of a lot of money off of 'anecdotal' research without ever sponsoring even one ubiased, public trial of his theories. I have never said that Atkin's diet is no good. I am just appauled (like the rest of the medical community) that he asserts his medical benefits without ever submitting anything other than afadavits as 'proof'. I can point you to numerous websites that will claim similar afadavits for "natural breast enhancement","cure of baldness","loss of cellulite", "improved sexual performance" ad infinitum. Snake oil comes in many sizes and shapes, and like all placebos most people who believe in it will find benefit from it. All I ask is that you at least give other, less animal based diets a try first with an open mind. And like an Atkins diet I agree that you shouldn't just try it for a week or two because we're talking about lifestyle changes here.

Also, unlike the AAS research of the past (which is now coming more into line with reality) Atkin's research has yet to publish benefit, or even a lack of harm. This is worth repeating because, allthough a very low insulogenic diet may well be of benefit to certain populations at rick for cardiovascular disease (unproven scientifically), it is not clear how other people at low risk for these diseases may respond to an Atkin's diet.