"Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution" was developed by Dr. Robert C. Atkins and was first published in 1972. The book was later updated in 1992 and 1999 and became one of the 50 best-sellers of all times with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide. The Atkins program is a low-carb eating plan promoting the consumption of non-starchy vegetables, animal protein and fat to promote fat loss by eliminating carbohydrate-rich foods such as grains, flours, potatoes, fruits, juices, sweetened drinks and sugar.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is characterized by a blood pressure above 140 over 90 mm Hg. The first number refers to systolic blood pressure and the second to diastolic blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure puts a lot of pressure on the heart and can eventually lead to heart disease or stroke. A variety of factors are associated with hypertension, such as age, family history, excess weight, ethnic group, lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol, stress, insufficient potassium and vitamin D intake as well as excessive sodium intake. A normal blood pressure corresponds to a measure of 120 over 80 mm Hg or below.
Atkins and Weight Loss
It is well established that weight loss is associated with a reduction in blood pressure and hypertension, as reported by endocrinologist Dr. Surender K Arora in the July 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism." Arora explains that low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, have the potential of lowering blood pressure by inducing weight loss and decreasing insulin resistance. However, the blood pressure-lowering effect of low-carb diets is modest, with a reduction of 1 to 10 mm Hg observed with most studies, and is similar to what is observed with low-fat diets. In a 24-week study including 120 obese men, the group following a low-carb diet similar to the Atkins diet reduced their systolic blood pressure by 9.6 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure by 6 mm Hg, while the low-fat diet group lowered their systolic blood pressure by 7.5 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure by 5.2 mm Hg, according to a 2004 article in "Annals of Internal Medicine."
Atkins and Fluid Retention
The Atkins diet is known to have a diuretic effect. Low-carbohydrate diets, by limiting carbohydrate intake, result in lower insulin concentrations, which in turns leads to less fluid retention. When starting on the Atkins diet, most people will flush a lot of excess water and sodium out of their body, which can help reduce blood pressure. Some people lose a lot of extra fluids within a short period and may experience headaches, weakness, dizziness, constipation and leg cramps. This is why the Atkins program recommends supplementing the diet with 1/2 tsp. of salt, 2 tbsp. of soy sauce or 2 cups of broth to replace the lost electrolytes and reduce these side effects.
Special Considerations
People with hypertension taking diurectic medications or watching their sodium intake should consult their physician before supplementing their diet with salt, as recommended for the first phase of the Atkins diet plan. It is also suggested that hypertensive people be followed by their doctor when starting on the Atkins diet to monitor their progress. Moreover, Atkins dieters with high blood pressure should consume the minimum recommended amount of non-starchy vegetables and protein every day, in addition to drinking enough water and taking a multivitamin and mineral supplements containing magnesium and calcium, but not iron, to reduce the symptoms associated with the loss of excess water.
References
- "The New Atkins for a New You"; Eric C. Westman et al; 2010
- Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The Case for Low Carbohydrate Diets in Diabetes Management; Surender K. Arora et al; July 2005
- Dummies: Looking at Low Carbohydrate Diets and How They Really Work
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet versus a Low-Fat Diet To Treat Obesity and Hyperlipidemia; William S. Yancy Jr. et al; 2004
