New Study Confirms the Safety and Efficacy of the Atkins Diet

By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.
President, Vitacost.com

Researchers from Duke University earlier this week presented the results of a study at the American Heart Association annual scientific meeting. 120 overweight volunteers were randomly assigned to either the Atkins diet or the Heart Association’s Step One diet which is a widely used, low fat diet. Those people on the Atkin’s diet were limited to less than 20 g of carbohydrates a day with 60% of their calories coming from fat. At the end of the six month study, people on the Atkins diet lost an average of 31 pounds compared to 20 pounds on the Step One diet. Total cholesterol fell to a small degree in both groups, although in the Atkin’s group there was 11% increase in HDL (good cholesterol) along with a significant 49% drop in triglycerides. In the Step One diet, there was no change in the HDL with only a 22% drop in triglycerides.

This is now the third formal study that has been presented in the last year, all confirming the benefits of the Atkin’s diet. This further proves that the U.S. Govt., American Heart Association, doctors and dieticians that have been overzealously promoting the high carbohydrate diet for decades. Although I am a big believer in the Atkin’s diet, I do have some recommendations to improve it. The consumption of saturated animal protein, sodium, nitrates from such products as bacon, hot dogs, etc. may have deleterious long term effects on immune function, potentially increasing the risk of cancer. I am not aware of any long term studies looking at the Atkin’s diet addressing this matter.

There is a way, however, that one can still be on the Atkin’s diet and actually do it in a more healthy fashion. Instead of having that prime rib for dinner, substitute it for baked salmon or trout. Instead of having a side order of bacon, get some healthy fat, fiber, potassium and protein from a hand full of nuts (almonds and walnuts are best). Certain green vegetables, such as broccoli actually contain 50% protein and contain powerful antioxidants that prevent cancer and heart disease.

There are now many excellent low carbohydrate products available. Atkins has recently reformulated some of their low carbohydrate/high protein bars and introduced new ones. I am told that the chocolate decadence bar is actually quite delicious. There are also low carb drinks and shake mixes from Atkins along with a host of low carb foods including bread and muffin mixes, brownies, etc.. A full listing of these products can be found on the low carb dieting section of Vitacost.com.

As part of the full Atkins program, it is recommended that aside from being on the low carbohydrate diet, that you also take a good diet and weight loss formula to help accentuate the weight loss. Atkins offers the Dieter’s Advantage. This product contains 900 mg of garcinia cambogia (which helps to curb appetite and inhibit conversion of carbs into fat) along with 150 mcg chromium and some other nutrients in small quantities. As an alternative, I would recommend NutriSlim from Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI). This product contains 1,500 mg of garcinia cambogia standardized to 60% (as opposed to 50% in the Atkin’s product). It also contains 400 mcg of chromium and other nutrients that are specific for weight loss, including glucomannan (a fruit pectin fiber with proven weight loss benefits) and 5HTP (converts to serotonin in the body and has benefits for weight loss and mood).

Atkins also recommends fish oil and we agree. There are numerous studies indicating fish oil has many benefits for weight loss, healthy heart function and brain function. Most fish oil is very hard to tolerate. The softgels are huge and hard to swallow and they are not pure. This causes a fish odor and regurgitation for many. NSI solved this problem with their EFA product. It is 80% pure omega-3s versus 20 – 30% for most products and is a small easy to swallow softgel with a pleasant strawberry scent. People that could not tolerate other fish oils love the NSI EFA product.

The final component of an effective weight loss program is taking the right foundational vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplement. Weight loss can lead to increased free radical production and the need for adequate antioxidants is crucial. In this regard, Atkins offers the Basic #3 product. If, however, you compare this product to Synergy multivitamin from NSI, you will be pleasantly surprised at the difference. For example, the Basic #3 product contains 60 units of vitamin E (alpha only) where as Synergy multi-vitamin contains 500 units of mixed tocopherols. Synergy contains two or three times as much as calcium and magnesium as the Basic #3 product. It also contains the most powerful antioxidants including CoEnzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, standardized garlic, gingko and more!

Atkin’s diet works

There is no question that the Atkin’s diet works. Many people, however, have had difficulty maintaining it in the past because of the limited selection of low carbohydrate foods available. This should no longer be a problem with the wide selection that is now available. By adding the NSI NutriSlim, NSI EFA and NSI Synergy multivitamin to the modified Atkin’s diet, I believe that you will be very gratified at the long term results.

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