Re: Ketogenic Diet Prevents Seizures By Enhancing Brain Energy Production

Perhaps it is worth noting that, after negative studies and criticisms mounted, the original Atkins diet was belatedly modified and the revised Atkins diet addressed some of the issues raised in those studies and criticisms.

Also worth noting is that Mercola, whom I refer to often but do not always agree with, also stresses adequate healthy carbs.

As I posted earlier, in the interest of educating, readers are encouraged to do their own research and consider both the pros and cons and then make their own informed opinion.  A Google search of "Atkins diet dangers" turns up a great number of links.  One of which is from an Atkins site itself:

http://www.dratkinsdietplan.info/learn/atkins-diet-dangers.html

Atkins diet is completely opposed to anything else used for years before by traditional nutritionists and medical care experts. It has been scrutinized lately and some questions and concerns arised. Scientific data to strongly and entirely support medical concerns are still missing. Nevertheless, some incomplete or small studies which have been conducted until now can't be ruled out. Regarding lifestyle, atkins diet dangers are coming from four major directions:

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

First of all, physicians from the American Heart Association are worried because a high-animal protein and high-fat diet is damaging the heart condition and blood vessels' health (blood flow and blood clots especially). Emphasizing foods like meat, eggs, saturated fats and eliminating fruits and starchy vegetables, Atkins diet restricts, in fact, those foods rich in essential nutrients. The low fiber intake is also blamed by the American Heart Association. In their opinion, an eating regimen so rich in meat and fatty foods is highly favoring coronary heart diseases and even strokes. In 's opinion, many people are already eating too much high-protein and high-fat foods than they really need daily.'s opinion, many people are already eating too much high-protein and high-fat foods than they really need daily.

Kidney Stones

Regarding kidney stones, specialists quoted by “American Journal of Kidney Diseases” are worried because high-protein diets lead to a very high acidity in the human body (as much as 90%). The calcium level rises abnormally, too. These are responsible for increasingthe level of a compound called oxalate in the urinary excretion. This compound has the ability to combine itself with other present substances and calcium and give birth to kidney stones. This has been revealed by a small six-week study on ten healthy adults.

Osteoporosis

The same small study has shown that the same high levels of calcium in the volunteers' urine lets out a decreased absorption of calcium (saw as the bone-building material). Eventually, this causes osteoporosis.

Constipation

Constipation has already been admitted by dr. Atkins himself as an adverse effect of his diet, in the Induction phase (which is rather depriving the dieter of fibers). On a long-term basis, constipation might become chronic. Its appearance is harmful for two reasons:

1. a bowel deficiency is the cause of dangerous toxicity in the human body
2. its presence might push someone to become addictive to laxative medication

The nutritional care community is also suspicious regarding: nutritional adecquacy, dietary compliance and quality of life. Until now there are two charges related to “Atkins bad diet”: a 41-year-old male and a 16-year-old girl died while on Atkins diet. It is worth mentioning that the American National Institute of Health is now conducting a large 3 year-study on low-carb dieting, including Atkins diet.

I cannot help but point to what what Atkins autopsy revealed, which among many health problems was the fact that he had previously suffered a heart attack, as well as the statement by the Mayor of New York City that Atkins was "fat".

I think that in general, the healthiest diet is one which incorporates much of the same kinds of foods that our ancestors evolved, or adapted if you will, to eat over tens of thousands of years, and yes that did include meat whenever the hunts were successful, but also included lots of raw vegetables, fruit, nuts, tubors, and some grain.  None of those foods were subject to the contaminants present today in our air, soil and water as well as the nutrient depleted soils present today.  Nor did they have the nutrition processed out and harmful additives processed in for longer shelf life, taste, color and texture.

And so, in a nutshell, my personal recommendations are a diet close to that of our ancestors, a day each week of healthy fasting, meals made of smaller portions with healthy snakcs between meals, thoroughly chewing each bite, and a glass of pure water before and during each meal and snack.

Such a diet, along with healthy lifestyle, fresh air and sunhine, elimination of stress and adequate supplementation to be sure one gets sufficient amounts of the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, including plant derived trace minerals, is the way to go for most people in order to achieve and maintain optimum weight and health, in my humble opinion.

DQ