Fad Diets Such As Atkins Term Paper

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 that only a moderate but balanced intake of food along with moderate exercise is the true path to controlling one's weight and maintaining health. 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

The late Robert C. Atkins, M.D., first outlined the diet in his 1972 book Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution and updated it in his 1992 update, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution

The low-carb diet craze has only started to signs of waning very recently ("Low Carb Diets on the Decline," 2004)

To lose one pound a week, one must take in about 500 fewer calories per day than one metabolizes (Barrett 2004)

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that adults should eat at least five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day for cancer prevention

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