Concern Over Effects Of Low-Carbohydrate Diet
Group Believes Diet Can Cause Osteoporosis
POSTED: 7:25 p.m. EDT October 5, 2003
UPDATED: 7:49 p.m. EDT October 5, 2003
If you find yourself ordering a burger and tossing the bun, then you may already be aware of the weight-loss benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet.
However, shedding pounds isn't the only perk of a low-carbohydrate diet. Recent studies show the Atkins diet can even help lower cholesterol in some people.
But one group of doctors say low-carbohydrate diets could pose high health risks.
It's the ultimate diet contradiction -- eating fat to get thin.
"All meat ... I can't think of any meat I can't eat -- bacon, sausage and cheeses," said Susan Thom, an Atkins diet participant.
"In my opinion we have a love affair with protein in this country that overdoes it and causes us a whole lot of health problems," said Amy Joy Lanou, a nutritionist.
According to the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, some of the health risks include everything from kidney stones to osteoporosis. And now the group is writing letters to hospitals and medical centers across the nation trying to convince doctors to ditch the diet.
Some doctors say the long-term effects are a big concern, which is why the government has launched a two-year study into the effects of eating a high-protein diet.
Dr. Eric Westman has led a number of short-term studies on the Atkins diet. He says arguments for and against the high-protein, low-carbohydrate approach should be based on science, not anecdotes.
"We're learning the diet is powerful as medicine. It may reduce the need for medicine," Westman said.
For now, there is one thing both sides do agree upon, good or bad, the diets are having a profound impact on the way we eat.
Westman says it's important to note that the low-carbohydrate diets have only been studied short-term and studies over a long period of time are needed to find out if they are safe and effective.
Read Statement By Group Who Wants To Ban Diet. Click here.
Read Statement By Group Who Wants To Ban Diet. Click here.
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