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The American Heart Association (AHA), for example, points out that most Americans already eat more protein than their bodies need. It warns that high-protein animal foods (recommended by low carb diets) are usually also high in saturated fat, and their consumption for a sustained period "raises the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and several types of cancer." ("High Protein Diets," 2001) The AHA also points out that a high-protein diet puts a large number of people who can't use excess protein effectively at higher risk of kidney and liver disorders, and osteoporosis. (Ibid)
Coronary heart disease and stroke are the result of a high-fat diet while increased risk of cancer is due to the restrictions on consumption of fruits and vegetables that contain a number of cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals. A high-protein diet could be particularly damaging for the kidneys. This is because increased protein intake leads to a build-up of nitrogen (in the form of urea) in the blood, which needs to be cleaned from the blood, resulting in increased urination and dehydration. This puts severe strain on our kidneys resulting in chronic kidney disease.
Proponents of the Atkins' Diet and some studies that are funded by the Atkins' Foundation highlight the finding that the Atkins' Diet significantly improves blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The American Heart Association and other experts who have evaluated such studies conclude that any drop in cholesterol and triglyceride levels is a general feature of weight loss rather than a 'special feature' of a low-carb diet as blood fat levels merely fall with body fat levels. (Quoted by Barrett 2004)
Finally, there is no getting away from the "boring" fact...
All fad diets including Atkins' propagate unproven and fanciful theories about nutrition that are nothing more than pseudo-science. In fact, by severely unbalancing the diet, they put the dieters at risk to a number of serious diseases.
References
Barrett, Stephen M.D. (2004). "Low-Carbohydrate Diets." Quackwatch. Retrieved on January 17, 2005 at http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/lcd.html
High-Protein Diets." (2004). American Heart Association Website. Retrieved on January 17, 2005 at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11234
Low-Carb Diets On The Decline." (2004). Kron4.com. December 20, 2004. Retrieved on January 17, 2005 at http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=2716970&nav=5D7yUP9S
Sachiko T. et. al. (2001). "Dietary Protein and Weight Reduction." Statement of the American Heart Association. Retrieved on January 17, 2005 at http://www.atkinsexposed.org/atkins/100/American_Heart_Association.htm
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