The Atkins Diet promotes a significant reduction of carbohydrate consumption and a significant increase in protein intake. Based on the diet's radical departure from traditionally recommended dietary standards and the lack of research to support Atkins' claims, many health experts question its efficacy. Critics also question its effect on health, since carbohydrates provide many healthful nutrients, while many proteins contain poor nutritional components.
Unhealthy Choices
Health experts consider many of the foods that qualify for high-protein diets as unhealthy when taken in quantity on a regular basis. These foods include red meat, butter, eggs and cream. These foods contain natural negatives, such as high cholesterol and saturated fat as well as the hormones in commercially raised beef and chicken. The way many of these foods are prepared--fried, breaded, salted, sautéed--also increases concerns about this diet's healthiness.
Heart Disease
High-protein diets contain many foods shown to increase the risk of heart disease, due to their high-levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Addtionally, diets should contain a variety of foods to protect against heart disease, according to experts such as Belinda Linden, head of medical information at the British Heart Foundation, who said, "With minimal fruit and vegetables included in the diet, it holds serious implications for coronary heart disease and cancer."
Dehydration
A decrease in carbohydrate intake results in the body burning more glycogen, which contains significant amounts of water. This process leads to the release of the water in the glycogen, resulting in more urination. Therefore, water weight, not fat loss, is a significant part of Atkins Diet weight loss and can lead to dehydration, especially in athletes.
Low Nutrition
Replacing carbohydrates with protein results in the loss of vitamins and minerals found in carbohydrates. In addition, the process of ketosis--a rise in blood acid levels when more fat is burned due to a lack of carbohydrates--can result in loss of minerals such as calcium in bones. This can lead to bones becoming brittle and porous, leading to osteoporosis.
Questionable Results
No studies have shown that staying on the Atkins Diet results in more weight loss than a standard diet. Many consumers tend to consider any low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet an "Atkins-like" diet. Long-term consumption of high amounts of protein and low amounts of carbohydrates without the Atkins reliance on exercise, fish oil consumption and other guidelines will likely lead to poor health.
Kidney Problems
Processing more protein and fewer carbohydrates can put a strain on kidneys and affect the their ability to absorb calcium, according to Kathryn Bailey, an occupational therapist at the British health-care giant BUPA. A study by Harvard University also found high-protein diets could cause "permanent loss of kidney function in anyone with reduced kidney function," according to Dr. Amy Joy Lanou, director of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
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