Atkins diet success story

In many e-Alerts I’ve addressed the problems associated with a high intake of carbohydrates – such as the increased risk of type 2 diabetes. And, recently, I’ve told you about my husband taking the Atkins plunge. So I was very pleased to receive an e-mail from an HSI member named John who shared this remarkable personal experience:

“I have been having considerable distress due to heartburn and acid reflux (what ever the latest proper name). I have been overweight at 210, and had gradually pulled my cholesterol down to 217 in late winter.

“Two weeks ago my wife and I started on the Atkins diet. Not full steam into the strict measuring of portions, but rather making a sudden dramatic restriction in the carbohydrates and sugar intake. I have been enjoying my newfound freedom to consume many things that I have not been eating for years. At no time have I left the table hungry, or passed an opportunity to have a snack between mealsjust a hardnosed reduction in carbohydrate intake.

“I have not had one instance of heartburn since making the start two weeks ago. I am sleeping better and longer, waking feeling energized, and getting up actually feeling like getting out and taking a walk. It may be my imagination, but I think that some of the symptoms of my enlarged prostate have disappeared. I am really pleased to note I have shed about 9 pounds and have taken in my belt one hole. Maybe more later.”

Bravo, John! Stay with it, and please let us know how it comes along.

John’s letter reminded me of a dietary study I told you about in the e-Alert “Jumpin’ Pax Flash” (6/9/03). As reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, obese subjects were divided into two groups; one group was assigned the Atkins high-protein diet, and the other was assigned a high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet. At the end of the year the Atkins group had succeeded in losing more weight than the high-carb group.

That alone is impressive, but in terms of general health this is the detail that I found striking: Subjects in the Atkins group had a significantly greater increase in HDL cholesterol, and their triglyceride levels also decreased more than those in the high-carb group.

I hope John and his wife enjoy the same success.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute