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Enzyme University.com
New Studies Support Low Garb Diet Concept
Whole Foods
Jul 11, 2004, 14:38
Newspapers and electronic media around the nation crackled in mid May with some of the most positive news yet to be released about the efficacy of low carbohydrate diets. Two studies, both published in the May 18 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, confirmed that low carb, high protein regimens similar to those popularized by the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D., can lead to faster weight loss in the short term and greater improvements in blood lipid levels than will the more conventional low fat diets.
One of the studies, however, suggested that a low carb eating plan might be harder to maintain following the initial six months.
Perhaps most notable of all was commentary by Walter Willett, a highly respected nutritional epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health. In an editorial accompanying the research reports, Willett said, "We can no longer dismiss very low carbohydrate diets."
One of the studies, conducted at the Philadelphia (PA) Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was a randomized trial of 132 severely obese adults with an average weight of 288 pounds. Some 85% were diagnosed with either diabetes or metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X). Half the group was placed on a low carbohydrate diet with fewer than 30 grams of carbs per day but were not told to restrict their intake in any other way. The other half was instructed to follow a low fat diet and to lower their calories by 500 per day.
After six months, the low carb group had lost approximately 13 pounds per person, while those on the low fat regimen had lost just four pounds. By the time another six months had passed, the low carbers had held their weight loss by and large, but they did not continue to lose. The low fat people, on the other hand, began to see accelerated weight loss in the second six months and, at the end of a full year, both groups were roughly equal.
Meanwhile, the low carb group saw triglyceride levels drop more consistently and saw less of a decline in the high density lipoproteins, the so called good HDL cholesterol.
In the other study, funded by the Robert C. Atkins Foundation and conducted at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, the participants were 120 moderately obese adults with high cholesterol. In this study, the low carb patients lost an average of 26 pounds in the first half year, compared with 14 pounds for the low fat group. Again, triglycerides dipped lower for the low carb followers, and HDL cholesterol results also were better for those pursuing a low carb regimen.
Atkins Nutritionals - Responds to Lawsuit
New York, NY Deviating from their usual stance of quiet stoicism when it comes to litigation, Atkins Nutritionals, located here, and the estate of the late Robert C. Atkins, M.D., have responded publicly to a lawsuit leveled against them by Jody Gorran, of Delray Beach, FL.
Gorran claimed that he went on a low carbohydrate diet in 2001, following the plan laid out in the 1999 edition of Dr Atkins 'New Diet Revolution. After two months he said, his cholesterol soared from 146, considered normal, to 230, considered hazardous. Following three episodes of chest pain, he was examined in October of 2003, and doctors found a 99% blockage in a major artery. They performed angioplasty and inserted a stent to keep it open.
At the time that he went on the diet, Gorran, whose suit is receiving backing from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), was just eight pounds above his desired weight. He is seeking $28,000 in damages and explained that one of his goals is to tell other people about the dangers of the diet and to have its promoters include warnings in books, other products and websites.
Responding to the suit, an Atkins press release stated, "First of all, scientific research suggests that the case has no merit." It noted, too, that PCRM (the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine), "is actually a well known extremist vegan, animal rights group" and added that the legal action is just for publicity. "We should not let the real issue, providing people with a scientifically validated nutritional choice in the face of a worldwide obesity and Type 2 diabetes epidemic, be manipulated by this extremist group."
Federal Diet Guidelines - Unkind to Low Carbs
Bethesda, MD Citing a story in the May 27 edition of The Boston Globe, the June 1 issue of LowCarbiz, an online publication, reported that a draft of new federal dietary guidelines suggests that Americans should focus on cutting calories rather than eating low carb diets to lose weight.
According to LowCarbiz, the guidelines, which are rewritten every five years, state, "The strategy for weight loss is not to focus on the proportions of fat and carbohydrate in the diet." Instead, they urge that consumers avoid supersized fast food in favor of lean meats, low fat dairy products, and fruits and vegetables."
According to the Globe, "The report, written by 13 independent scientists, is the template for sweeping changes under way in the nation's nutritional policy, which could bring about major shifts in how Americans buy and eat food."
Exploding Sales Fuel - Low Carb Trend
London, UK A new report from Reuters Business Insight (published by Datamonitor, in association with Reuters) reveals that 95% of European and U.S. food and drink manufacturers say they cannot afford to ignore the impact of low carb dieting on the industry. Over a quarter view the development of low carbohydrate foods as a priority, and are actively investing in the research and development of new products. "There is no doubt that the consumer's appetite for low carbohydrate foods is huge. With big names entering the market on a daily basis, it is important that the food and drink industry realizes the potential of the sector," comments Camilla Palmer, author of the report.
Almost two thirds of respondents see the burgeoning of the low carb sector as an opportunity. The respondents thought the sectors most likely to be affected were bakery, confectionery and snack foods, with 76% of respondents saying the snack foods sector would be affected, and with 73% thinking the bakery sector would be challenged.
Low Carb Briefs
New York, NY based Atkins Nutritionals has announced a new line of controlled carb frozen pizzas to be distributed by Sara Lee, located in Cincinnati, OH. The story first appeared on May 26 on the just-food. com website. Even though the announcement was not accompanied by much ballyhoo, there has been speculation that the alliance between a mainstream frozen food maker and one of the leading lowcarb producers could spur other such partnerships. As reported, Atkins worked with Sara Lee for months to guarantee the new pizzas would be compatible with the Atkins diet plan, the story said.
Whole Foods July 2004
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