The following article is a reprint from my new blog called "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb":
British health experts are scratching their heads over the latest research they have conducted on the various weight loss methods available for people to do today. It seems the much-maligned Atkins diet is the best of the bunch and that has health officials in a tizzy right now. You gotta love it!
This icWales story chronicles the findings they found observing several popular diets, including Atkins, Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast. Whether they want to admit it or not, Atkins was actually found to be the most effective means for weight loss.
Surprise, surprise, surprise! For those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb, we already knew that fact, though. While the media loves to hyperbolize the alleged dangers to your health posed by the low-carb lifestyle, the truth is that it really works. I'm living proof of it with my 180-pound weight loss and many of my readers can testify to this fact as well.
A group of dietitians (uh oh, not THEM again! LOL!) in the UK are still scratching their heads over the results of their televised research trial of 300 people on various diets. Much to their dismay, Atkins followers had the quickest initial weight loss (which they admit is a very important "motivating" factor especially when you have a lot of weight to lose) and on average lost 11 percent of their intial body weight after six months. Weight Watchers came in second with 10 percent weight loss and Slim-Fast was dead last with 8 percent.
Considering the recent Consumer Reports comparison of various diet plans was so critical of the Atkins plan, this latest research is further proof that actually shows it to be more effective than it is being given credit for.
Despite alleged health concerns that are so quickly discussed regarding Atkins, the researchers begrudgingly admitted that there are "no harmful short-term side-effects" from low-carb programs. Duh! I could have told you that. Unless you call lowered cholesterol and blood pressure "harmful" side effects. Hee hee!
But these experts from the British Dietetic Association are still very reluctant to publicly endorse the Atkins lifestyle because the jury is still out on the long-term effects of this way of eating.
"We don't know the long-term effects of restricting carbohydrates and the impact of a relatively low-fibre intake," remarked Dr. Helen Truby, a senior lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Surrey, who was involved in the BBC's Diet Trials series. "We also don't know what impact a fairly acidic diet, like Atkins, will have on bone health."
Restricting carbs produces weight loss in most people if they follow what Dr. Robert Atkins prescribes in his book. Additionally, if Dr. Truby would have read the Atkins New Diet Revolution book then she would know that he highly recommends people on a low-carb lifestyle eat lots of fiber in their diet. I sure do! I probably eat at least 35-50 grams per day. That's one way to make sure your body stays cleansed, don't you think?!
As for other effects on your body from doing Atkins, long-term studies can and should be conducted to either substantiate or dismiss these as fact or fiction. I have my own opinion about them and I can provide my own anectoctal evidence that there is no harm with low-carb. But let's get the studies going and end this madness over how unhealthy low-carb supposedly is. I am confident the results will validate it as safe and effective.
Truby concludes that people who follow the Atkins diet actually reduce their calories. This is not necessarily true, but it could be a natural progression that happens as you lose weight and your caloric needs change.
This icWales story chronicles the findings they found observing several popular diets, including Atkins, Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast. Whether they want to admit it or not, Atkins was actually found to be the most effective means for weight loss.
Surprise, surprise, surprise! For those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb, we already knew that fact, though. While the media loves to hyperbolize the alleged dangers to your health posed by the low-carb lifestyle, the truth is that it really works. I'm living proof of it with my 180-pound weight loss and many of my readers can testify to this fact as well.
A group of dietitians (uh oh, not THEM again! LOL!) in the UK are still scratching their heads over the results of their televised research trial of 300 people on various diets. Much to their dismay, Atkins followers had the quickest initial weight loss (which they admit is a very important "motivating" factor especially when you have a lot of weight to lose) and on average lost 11 percent of their intial body weight after six months. Weight Watchers came in second with 10 percent weight loss and Slim-Fast was dead last with 8 percent.
Considering the recent Consumer Reports comparison of various diet plans was so critical of the Atkins plan, this latest research is further proof that actually shows it to be more effective than it is being given credit for.
Despite alleged health concerns that are so quickly discussed regarding Atkins, the researchers begrudgingly admitted that there are "no harmful short-term side-effects" from low-carb programs. Duh! I could have told you that. Unless you call lowered cholesterol and blood pressure "harmful" side effects. Hee hee!
But these experts from the British Dietetic Association are still very reluctant to publicly endorse the Atkins lifestyle because the jury is still out on the long-term effects of this way of eating.
"We don't know the long-term effects of restricting carbohydrates and the impact of a relatively low-fibre intake," remarked Dr. Helen Truby, a senior lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Surrey, who was involved in the BBC's Diet Trials series. "We also don't know what impact a fairly acidic diet, like Atkins, will have on bone health."
Restricting carbs produces weight loss in most people if they follow what Dr. Robert Atkins prescribes in his book. Additionally, if Dr. Truby would have read the Atkins New Diet Revolution book then she would know that he highly recommends people on a low-carb lifestyle eat lots of fiber in their diet. I sure do! I probably eat at least 35-50 grams per day. That's one way to make sure your body stays cleansed, don't you think?!
As for other effects on your body from doing Atkins, long-term studies can and should be conducted to either substantiate or dismiss these as fact or fiction. I have my own opinion about them and I can provide my own anectoctal evidence that there is no harm with low-carb. But let's get the studies going and end this madness over how unhealthy low-carb supposedly is. I am confident the results will validate it as safe and effective.
Truby concludes that people who follow the Atkins diet actually reduce their calories. This is not necessarily true, but it could be a natural progression that happens as you lose weight and your caloric needs change.
