People following the Atkins diet eat high-fat and high-protein foods while limiting grains, vegetables and fruit. The initial phase is the most restrictive, while the ongoing weight-loss phase allows 40 to 60 g of carbohydrates per day. The Atkins diet premise is that people gain weight by the way the body processes carbohydrates. The effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets is similar to that of other weight-loss diets, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, or PCRM. Although the diet works for some people, it can have harmful effects.
Inadequate Nutrition
The Atkins diet does not provide adequate nutrition, as noted by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Atkins dieters are advised to take dietary supplements, but this may not make up for the limitations on healthy foods including whole grains, vegetables and fruits that provide vitamins and minerals not found in high-protein foods.
Lack of Fiber
High-protein diets are low in fiber, which can result in constipation. People following the Atkins diet may need to take fiber supplements such as methylcellulose or psyllium. In addition, dietary fiber protects against cancer, according to Fuhrman.
Cancer Risk
Eating meat every day on a long-term basis, especially red meat, is linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, according to the PCRM. Research links increased consumption of animal products combined with reduced consumption of fresh produce to an increased risk for various types of cancer, as noted by Fuhrman. People who do not eat sufficient amounts of fruit may have an increased risk of cancers affecting the digestive tract, bladder and prostate, according to Fuhrman.
High Cholesterol
About 30 percent of participants in some studies of low-carbohydrate diets experienced increased cholesterol levels despite losing weight, according to the PCRM. High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some research, in fact, indicates that a single high-fat meal can have a negative effect on the compliance of arteries, which elevates the risk of a heart attack after the meal, as noted by the PCRM. A long-term study of nearly 30,000 women found that those who ate red meat and dairy foods in place of carbohydrate servings had higher levels of heart disease.
Kidney Problems
In the general population, high-protein diets are linked to decreased kidney function, according to the PCRM. This may be a greater risk for people who already have a mild decrease in kidney function, which is relatively common in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes. A low-carbohydrate diet also increases the risk for kidney stones.
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