September 8, 2010 3:34 PM

Atkins Diet Mortality: Is Too Much Meat Killing Low-Carb Eaters?

By
David W Freeman
Topics
News ,
Diet ,
Research

(Pavel Sazonov)

(CBS) Could the Atkins diet be sending people to an early grave?

It just might.

A new study by Harvard scientists shows that the death rate among people who eat a diet that's low in carbs and high in animal protein is higher than that of people who follow other eating patterns.

In contrast, people who ate a low-carb diet that included lots of vegetables had a lower risk of death, the study found.

To conduct the study, researchers tracked the eating habits and health of 85,000 women and 45,000 men for more than 20 years. The study was published in the September7 issue of "Annals of Internal Medicine."

Men and women who ate an animal protein-based low-carb diet were 23 percent more likely to die during the course of the study. Those who ate a low-carb diet that included lots of plant foods were 20 percent less likely to die.

"You can have the initial Atkins-type of low-carb diet, which is loaded with sausages, bacon, steaks, and you can have healthy versions of the low-carb diet with more vegetable- or plant-based protein and fat," Dr. Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition at Harvard and the study's lead author, told Bloomberg Businessweek.

"We looked at these two versions of low-carb diets and found that the impact of the two are drastically different. Those who follow the animal-based low-carb diet have an increased risk of total mortality and cancer mortality in particular." 

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by Colette4u September 15, 2010 9:00 PM EDT
What strikes me about this study is the assumption by the authors and this article that the massive numbers of subjects overcomes the well known limitations associated with using food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). I don?t see a nutritionist or dietitian as an author, so maybe they are unaware that the FFQ method is not quantitative.

Even if we assume some level of accuracy in assessing carbohydrate and overall nutrient intake by FFQ, these authors only examined food intake at one time point at the start of the 20+ year studies. The conclusions are predicated on the notion that subjects did not change their dietary patterns (an unlikely assumption). If a person decided to change their diet at any point during the 2 decade study it would not be reflected in the analysis.

Even Dr. Funga, who was the lead author of the study, says that her research ?is not representative of popular low-carb eating plans. Other issues in the design of the study, such as depending on food frequency questionnaires, impact its conclusions.?

So why all the fuss? Headlines make news but headlines can be misleading; and that?s why we want to clarify study conclusions and correct any mis perception. This study does NOT even represent low carb. When you look at the data the highest average intake of carbohydrates were 60% of calories, the lowest 37%. Not low carb.

It also does not account for the type of food and meat consumed. Was it all cold cuts and processed foods?
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by dfreidkin September 15, 2010 5:52 PM EDT
Did anyone check the facts on this story, or did you just buy the Fox News distortion in its entirety?

If you feel the earth shaking under Black Rock, it's Edward R. Murrow spinning in his grave.
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by healthyeater September 15, 2010 5:49 PM EDT
Please do not use the name "Atkins" in the same sentence as "diet mortality" and "killing." The Atkins diet probably include more vegetables in one day than most Americans eat in a week. Also, on the Atkins plan, people are encouraged to eat fresh meats, poultry, eggs and fish, nuts, seeds, fruit and other whole foods - it does not consist of sausage, bacon and steak. You are giving a very false impression of a very healthy eating regimen. Shame on you. You should have done your research before printing such untruths. Read the new book, "The New Atkins For a New You."
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by arcticprincess76 September 15, 2010 3:31 PM EDT
If you're going to talk about "Atkins", you should at least know what "Atkins" actually is.

Nice job reporting, CBS. Even nicer job finding "experts" who know what the heck they're talking about.

(sarcasm)
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by kittycatwoman52 September 15, 2010 3:18 PM EDT
Perhaps the author should actually research the facts before writing blatant falsehoods and misconceptions about a topic.
The Atkins Nutritional Approach is one of the most balanced ways of eating around. While eliminating over-processed, unhealthy foods like sugar.high fructose corn syrup and white flour, it requires a minimum of 12-15 net carbohydrates daily from the 53 foundation vegetables during the 2 week induction. I normally eat 5-8 servings of vegetables a day.
After the initial 2 weeks, berries, nuts, melon, and even more vegetables are added back into our daily menus.
The Atkins plan is classified as a high fat/moderate protein/low carbohydrate way of eating. The use of processed meats or meats with nitrates is discouraged. The Journal of Internal Medicine recently published an article showing that this way of eating resulted in lower cholesterol and triglycerides than a low fat diet.
Not only does it result in lower cardiac risks in that way, but it encourages exercise, promotes weight loss and results in people who learn healthier eating patterns for a lifetime.
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by KathyRS September 14, 2010 8:14 PM EDT
I am disappointed that the reporter obviously did not do research on the current Atkins plan. I eat way more vegetables that I ever have in my life on this plan! Please read "A New Atkins for a New You." The plan (not DIET) is backed up with scientific evidence - it is not at all "loaded with sausages, bacon, steaks." Furthermore, the picture with the article is absurd - someone on the Atkins plan would not be eating that bun. When we do add grain to our diet, it is healthy, whole grain. Check out the program for yourself instead of believing these unfounded myths. http://www.atkins.com/Program/ProgramOverview.aspx
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by dwilliams52 September 14, 2010 8:12 PM EDT
When did CBS become another tabloid new magazine that doesn't bother with facts? Many Atkins followers have set the record straight about the fundementals of the Atkins Nutritional Approach, so I won't belabor that point. However, I will challenge the reporter to tell us about the other silent killers in our society...have him do his homework and come back with information on what HFCS and sugar have done. And, while he is at it, an apology for his ignorance would be appreciated.
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by AllTheUserNamesAreTaken September 14, 2010 7:58 PM EDT
Oh boy, I wish Dr Atkins were still alive to sue the backside off the writer of this article - note I didn't say journalist.
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by noyb48 September 14, 2010 7:49 PM EDT
As a major news network CBS should have much higher standards for journalistic integrity, which this "article" is severely lacking. The "reporter" who wrote it OBVIOUSLY didn't do ANY research into what Atkins actually entails, the science behind it, nor the numerous studies in which Atkins has shown to be a very healthy, safe, and beneficial way of eating. I hope Atkins will sue you over this garbage loaded pack of lies.
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by alaynaMR September 14, 2010 7:46 PM EDT
Has anyone bothered to read the new and updated Atkins book? It has evolved as science has evolved. I eat four ounces of protein with my meals and TONS of low-carb, high fiber vegetables! I eat healthier than the folks at work on "low fat" diets and I am the one losing weight! I exercise 30-45 minutes a day and probably more as I lose more weight and can do more. My lipid levels are coming down and my blood sugar has stabilized. The new Atkins does not advocate bacon and sausage and deli meat like it used to. Yes, you can have it if you want but they suggest it be limited. Atkins is a moderate protein plan, not high protein. People really need to read for themselves before spouting off. I can't tell you how many interviews with so called experts I've watched since the new book came out and it is so obvious they have NOT read the book. At least do your homework before opening your mouth. End of rant.
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