www.atkinsdietalert.org/consumer.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2859733.stm
Before changing careers a couple years ago, I worked as a nutritionist at an anti-aging clinic.
http://www.kronoscompany.com/science_laboratory.aspx
I had access to having my labwork done with what I consider the most sophisiticated lab in the world (nothing very "psuedo" about it). There was a point I was doing a diet similiar to the atkins (with minor variations, but the premise is the same)
www.anabolicsolution.com/ after the second week my uric acid spiked off the chart. Theres no doubt in my mind that anyone on the Atkins diet is in the same scenerio. You might do yourself a favor and research what extended periods can do to you.
First of all, the rapid weight loss people see is water being removed at the cellular level. The cell dehydration occurs when carbohydrates are replaced by fat. When people begin to increase their carb intake, the water that was lost comes back and it looks as though people are blowing up again. They blame it on the carbs they ate and stop again. This causes a yo-yo effect and that's extremely hard on the body.
Carbohydrates are needed for all metabolic functions in the body. The brain and nervous system survive only on glucose which comes from carbohydrate breakdown. When carb intake in decreased, extra fat needs to be added to the diet for an energy source. Since there is no glucose for the body to use as energy, it turns to the fat stored and literally eats itself. This breakdown causes the release of ketones. Ketones can be extremely hard on the internal organs if accumulated. They are toxic and need to be eliminated through urination. This makes the kidneys work overtime. The high amount of dietary fat consumed is very taxing on the vital organs, particularly the kidneys, and can cause real damage.
To make what could turn into too long of a post short here's points I have seen, experienced, and gathered as fact vs possible theory:
1) Everyone is built genetically different; while certain general results can be found in any type of intake people are going to react differently to different things.
2) A diet thats been designed according to the proper caloric intake to what a persons goals are, and consuming 5 smaller meals with 40% protein- 30% COMPLEX carbs (not simple), and 30% FRIENDLY fats (not saturated) through the day with a 6th right before bed consisting of only protein (to keep nitrogen retention elevated through the night) with promote a condition of the body being anabolic vs catabolic. In other words it contributes to lowering the fat percentage without compromising muscle tissue. There are some that dont understand that muscle helps burn fat and when you raise cortisol levels and promote an extremely high amount of free radicals, the body may lose weight, but not be lowering its fat percentage; guess what that means. *Hint use a caliper with the scale, dont just rely on the scale alone; it doesnt tell the whole story. Due to the fact people are picking there own foods out and the body is getting the complete spectrum of its nutritional needs as well as keeping the insulin level consistent throughout the day theres no question about the safety, effectiveness, and just plain enjoyabilty of eating as such.
3) My general take on the current scientific and medical safeness of the Atkins diet is there is just as much evidence out there that it has potential harmful effects as it not having them. (Cardiovascular, diegestive systems) Hormonal levels havent been tested enough to provide anything in either direction, but educated guesses are easy to make- what substrate does the brain run on. . .
4) It is not recommended for people with kidney issues, or other renal complications. Can that be a good thing?
Im not downing anyone because Im truly interested to know where the members are getting the info they are considering psuedo-science, and what that word means to them.
Here is a piece of pseudo-science: a prediction/theory- Its a fact the the human brain gets a majority of is nutrients and fuel to run properly from carbs. A lifetime if reducing such may promote or even accelrate (if predispostioned to) organic brain disease, such as alzheimers or dementia. There's no current research to support that statement (but then again the tests have only begun to initate for that area).
The bottom line is this my hat is off to those who are chosing to live on the Atkins diet; for it is through you and time; the quesitons so many scientists-doctors-and nutrition professionals continue to deabte will finally be put to rest whether or not it does long term damage, so in essence thank you for volunteering. (There is a registry at the Atkins site for people to chart how things are going) I encourage you to participate its valuable information for the entire population.