Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness; Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 02 Jul 2012 - 10:00 PDT
BMJ Accused Of Making False And Misleading Statements Regarding "Atkins-Style" Diet
The BMJ (British Medical Journal) has been asked by Atkins Nutritionals Inc. to retract what it calls a "false and misleading statement" that a Swedish study found that an "Atkins-style" diet causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease among a specific female population in Sweden. The researchers in the study never used the term "Atkins-style". Atkins Nutritionals Inc. added that the diet used in the study "did not in any way resemble the Atkins Diet". The Atkins diet starts at 10% carbohydrates, with gradual increments to 20% to 30% over a period of several weeks as the dieter approaches and maintains target weight. The diet used in the study had 51% carbohydrates.
Atkins Nutritionals stressed that its Atkins Diet "emphasizes a healthy balance of proteins and good fats, and includes vegetables, fruits and even whole grains."
In a communiqué, Atkins Nutritionals Inc. wrote:
"It appears that BMJ, to draw public attention to its story, misleadingly inserted the false suggestion that an "Atkins-style" diet was used in the study, and omitted the conclusion of the Swedish researchers that diets similar to the actual Atkins Diet do not necessarily harm cardiovascular health."
The company has demanded that BMJ apologies and takes corrective action.
Several studies over the last few years have, in fact, demonstrated that the Atkins Diet reduces the risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases. Atkins Nutritionals quoted a 2010 study published in the journal Circulation which showed that a 24-month weight loss diet can induce a significant regression in heart disease markers and a fall in blood pressure. Study leader, Iris Shai, RD, PhD, and team concluded that weight loss diets, including low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate strategies have considerable cardiovascular and heart benefits for people wishing to lose weight. ("Dietary Intervention to Reverse Carotid Atherosclerosis").A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine in 2010, entitled "Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After Two Years On a Low-Carbohydrate Versus Low-Fat Diet: A Randomized Trial" showed that those on a low-carbohydrate diet had better outcomes regarding heart disease and hypertension risk factors compared to people on a low-fat diet. (Link to article)
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center found that a low-carbohydrate diet is not only as good as a low-fat plus obesity pill regime, but also was much better at helping people lower their blood pressure. (Link to article)
A 2007 study carried out by researchers at Stanford University, California, concluded that the Atkins diet is probably the best one around. The scientists published their findings in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) and reported that the Atkins Diet resulted in the best blood pressure levels and the most weight loss, compared to other diets examined in their study. (Link to article)
Studies over the last few years have revealed numerous benefits of following a low-carbohydrate diet, including:
Dr. David Haslam, GP bariatric physician and former chair of the British Obesity Forum adds:"The editorial to this Swedish research is below the standards one expects of the British Medical Journal and betrays the lack of awareness of scientific principles or the requirement of checking facts before publication. The Atkins Diet is a scientifically validated one, which is balanced and contains the foods deemed important by this paper. Furthermore, Atkins is a diet I recommend to my patients."
Monty Sharma, CEO of Atkins Nutritionals, said:
"We request those media outlets who have unwittingly republished the British Medical Journal's incorrect statements to speak with Atkins and learn what the Atkins diet really is - a healthy, scientifically proven diet that includes healthy carbs, doesn't cut out any food groups, and is being passionately supported by millions of successful dieters across the globe."
Further reading: "What is the Atkins Diet?"
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
MLA
5 Jul. 2012.
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'BMJ Accused Of Making False And Misleading Statements Regarding "Atkins-Style" Diet'
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