Since its surge of popularity after cardiologist Robert C. Atkins' book, "The Atkins Nutritional Approach," hit the shelves in 1972, the Atkins Diet has come under attack for promoting an eating plan heavy in fat content at the expense of healthy fiber, which can have an impact on heart disease. But research has not proved a decisive link between heart issues and the diet.
PCRM Survey
In 2007, CBS News reported on an unofficial survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine indicating that 20 percent of the respondents reported experiencing heart problems after high-protein, low-carb diets such as Atkins. But heart issues were the least reported problem in the survey. The PCRM asked for further study, and research at Duke University found conflicting evidence; low-carb diets can actually improve cholesterol levels, which are one risk for heart disease.
Research Into Cholesterol Levels
The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine funded research through Duke University that revealed that out of 41 participants, 29 showed a decrease in bad LDL cholesterol and 12 showed an increase while on the diet. The PCRM argues that an increase in bad cholesterol in 30 percent of the dieters is unacceptably high, but 70 percent did not experience this side effect. A study reported by the New York Times in 2010 indicates that Atkins dieters also show an increase in good HDL cholesterol, and low-carb dieters in general showed lower levels of LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, another factor associated with heart disease.
Research Into Glycemic Index
Atkins indicates that the Harvard School of Public Health has made a differentiation between carbohydrates and their impact on heart disease. After a 10-year study, Harvard indicates that carbohydrates higher on the glycemic index increased the risk for heart disease among women. High glycemic foods cause the most dramatic changes in blood glucose and insulin levels. Both Atkins and the Glycemic Index Foundation maintain that restricting your diet to carbs lower on the glycemic index is actually heart-healthy.
Changes
In response to the criticism regarding low-carb diets and hearts issues, Atkins released a new book, "The New Atkins For a New You," in 2010. The book offers a recap of hundreds of research studies that reportedly negate the theory that low-carb diets cause heart problems. It also addresses concerns that the diet promotes a high level of fat consumption, which contributes to heart disease, and it makes recommendations as to how to tweak the original diet to eliminate foods with high fat content.
Tips
The traditional Atkins diet doesn't tell dieters to eat foods that are high in fat content, which can increase LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It eliminates many carbohydrates from your diet, but what you eat to substitute for those carbohydrates is a personal choice. If you focus on lean meats, poultry and fish instead of fattier red meats, you may not experience heart issues unless you have other contributing factors. Choices regarding protein sources might account for the difference between dieters who experienced an increase in LDL cholesterol and those who did not. If the carbs you choose are lower on the glycemic index, you might actually do your heart some good.
References
- CBS News The Early Show; A Warning to Atkins Dieters; Rome Neal; December 2007
- Atkins Diet Alert; Health Advisory; Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Atkins: Reduce Carbs, Cut Heart Disease
- Atkins: New Science Behind Atkins
- The New York Times; Diet: Low-Fat Versus Atkins: Parallel Results; Roni Caryn Rabin; August 2010
- Glycemic Index Foundation: What is the Glycemic Index?
