Can Someone Give me Some Cold Facts About Atkins

[luvndisney358]

I bought the paperback, read it, think I understand it but am concerned. First off I take .10 mcg of Levoxyl daily for an autoimmune Hashiomoto's Thyroiditis, and probably will the rest of my life.

I would like to lose 25 lbs and now that I'm 45, it's really important. I understand about the induction phase but can you guys out there tell me this?? HONESTLY, just how safe is this? How can a diet that is made of meat, cheese, butter and the like healthy? Also, I'm concerned about gout because my grandfather had a bad case of it which lead to congestive heart failure and the dear man never came out of the hospital. I'd appreciate any and all responses. Truly

Is it wise to go to my doctor first and generally speaking? Are most doctors anti-Atkins?
Thanks everyone!

 

[dizneegirl]

Definitely talk to your doctor first if you have one.

Is it safe? Yes. It's not a "meat, cheese, butter" diet. It's a controlled carbohydrate lifestyle. You're cutting out refined flours, sugars and starches. None of which are nutritionally sound, none of which are necessary for your health, none of which offer any nutrients whatsoever.

If you follow a low-carb plan, you'll be eating adequate protein and whole foods (including vegetables, whole grains, fruits...).

Those first two weeks of induction are unbalanced (as Dr. Atkins points out in the book)... they're specifically designed to switch your metabolism to fat-burning mode, and to switch your whole body to using fat for fuel. It's NOT meant to be what you eat for the rest of your life... just a kick-start to turn those switches on.

After the first two weeks, you're encouraged to broaden your eating horizons, adding back in good foods like nuts, berries, cottage and ricotta cheeses...

You'll likely feel sick during the first week - it's perfectly normal. Many people have what's known as "carb withdrawal". They detox from all the refined carbs and sugars they've been consuming, and feel yucky while their body adjusts to the new foods.

There are MANY cases of people lowering their cholesterol and triglycerides (my husband included) by following Atkins. Much to their shock, and the shock of their doctors. It's amazing considering the higher fat content of the diet (especially at first) - but Dr. Atkins maintained that it's not fat that causes obesity, heart disease, etc. - it's the combination of high fat and high carbs. I've seen it work with my own eyes... I believed him before, I completely believe him now.

If you're concerned, if you're doubtful, if you need to be "talked into it"... don't start a low-carb diet. Unless you put your faith into it, and work it, it's not going to work for you. Point blank.

I don't know about most doctors being anti-Atkins. Some are. Some aren't. No doctor could fault someone for cutting out sugar, refined flours and starches though.

Good luck.

PS - Want some good information? Check out the boards at www.lowcarbfriends.com. Full of people who are low-carbing... some just beginning, some in the midst of the journey, and some who have successfully changed their lifestyle, lost weight, and maintained a healthy weight/life for years.

 

[PrincessMo]

hi there how are you? I first want to say that I am certainly no Atkins expert, and I think that everyone has there own Atkins program because everyone likes to eat different foods.

It's not just meat,cheese, and butter.......FOR ME. I have alot of Caesar Salad because it's quick and easy and honestly it gets food off my mind. Just eating a quick (low carb or no carb) snack will get food off my mind and when I do that I then don't start to crave pizza and pasta. although, I honestly have a slice of pizza without the top crust every now and again and it seems to be fine.

Anyhoo, enough about me, you asked if it is safe.........well the book says YES and lots of critics say NO and I saw an article from the Calorie King website that says NO! Like I said in the beginning, I think that Atkins is different for everyone and open for interpretation. You don't have alot to lose. I lost 25lbs. in under 2 months......... I think if you want to do this for that amount of time and then just monitor your weight and then watch your carbs when you gain a few pounds to drop them again that would be just fine because that is what I am gonna do. Most of the reviews that say it's UNSAFE, say it's not safe to do for a long period of time........so I am not going to eat only 20 carbs a day forever.........I am going to always drink diet soda, have some low carb/low calorie snacks forever but my meals with have some more veggies and other healthy foods added. Lots of people (including myself) have seen many great health benefits from the Atkins program. I was out of my job sick and on disability for about a year and then had to leave my job, now I am on Atkins and lots of the things I had are gone. I definetly feel much more energy on Atkins!

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor. I don't have an MD as my doctor, I go to a chiropractor every week......he was the only one to help me through my illness and believe in me and he thinks that doing this program has and is great for me. Maybe you will be like me and won't need meds anymore (we can hope right?)

Good luck and if you wanna talk you can email me or send me a PM.........I am no expert but I am hear to talk and share my ups,downs and experiences with you or anyone else!!!

Have A Disney Day!!!!!!!

 

[nativetxn]

This is going to be a very long post. Sorry but there are some test results included and I think those are important.

Don't follow Atkins if you believe it is unsafe. It isn't worth it. I believed for 30 years that Atkins would kill you. Most of the medical establishment still teaches us that Atkins plan will kill you. I did some research on my own and decided it <i>wouldn't</i> kill me and my husband and I began following this way of eating on 1.9.03. My husband has been type II diabetic since 1988 (totally out of control, I might add), high lipids, heart attack in 1998 with bypass surgery. Atkins has saved his life, according to both his cardiologist and internist.

Here are the results of his different blood tests before and after he started following the Atkins plan:

First his glycolated hemoglobin(this is an average of his daily blood sugar over 90 days):

11/13/02=9.2 3/4/03=7.1 4/8/03=6.1 [normal=4.1-6.4]

Fasting blood sugar:
11/13/02=204 3/4/03=not tested 4/8/03=143 [normal=65-110]

His fasting morning glucose is usually a little high because of his bedtime meds. It's called a dawn phenomenon. But even that has improved by 61 points.

HDL cholesterol:
11/13/02=47 4/8/03=56 [normal=30-60]

Total cholesterol:
11/13/02=195 4/8/03=156 [normal=125-200]

Cholesterol/HDL ratio:
11/13/02=4.1 4/8/03=3.3

LDL Cholesterol:
11.13.03=104 4/8/03=85 [normal=60-130]

Triglycerides:
11/13/03=219 4/8/03=123 [normal=10-190]

Sorry this is so long. I just think that in this instance the numbers themselves speak louder than words.

My husband now has a normal skin color, no more circles around his eyes, no more grey tinge to his skin. He has lost 50 pounds, has lots of energy. No longer comes home and goes straight to sleep. He laughs a lot more and he is happy.

He loves the foods allowed by Atkins. Doesn't miss any of the refined carbohydrates except sugar but he is happy with Splenda instead.

He told me after his first March blood work that he intended to continue following the Atkins nutritional approach even if he never lost another pound because he just feels better.

He loves to check his blood sugar now because it just tickles him to see it be 74 or 85 or 100 instead of 275, 400 or 150. He is happy and content.

Both his cardiologist and his internist are very happy and they have both told him to never stop eating the Atkins way. They tell him he is saving his own life by eating this way.

He will have his blood work repeated next month. I'll share those results, too, if anyone is interested.

Katholyn

 

[Rhonda]

There's not much to add to what's already been said. But I'll add my 2 cents!

When I first begun, I was scared! People were telling me that I would kill myself, and even my doctor said he wanted to monitor me carefully because he didn't think it was healthy.

But, I told myself that I would just start with 2 weeks. How could 2 weeks possibly kill me, right? I really thought that after 2 weeks I would stop because I would be sick.

Just the opposite happened! After 2 weeks, I had tons of energy, I slept better at night, woke up feeling refreshed, and just felt better! So, I decided to add a few carbs and keep going for another 2 weeks. Well, 3 months later I was down 50 pounds and my doctor was thrilled with my cholesterol levels and blood pressure!

So, I guess what I'm saying, is don't listen to the horror stories. That's all they are - stories. You have to judge for yourself, maybe just 2 weeks at a time. You will be surprised at how much better you will feel, and how much energy you will have!

Good luck with your decision! We're here for you!

 

[wovenwonder]

HERE is a terrific post from a few months ago that highlights what this way of eating can do to your body. I also have some terrific links on my low carb journey webpage [linked below].

 

[disboo]

I have had Hashimoto Syndrome for many years, and take daily medication for it. I have also been on Atkins since January, and I have gone from 275 to 205. (Today I wore my shirt tucked in for the first time since high school!) Atkins REALLY works if it works for you. It isn't for everybody, but it works for me. It will be the way I eat for the rest of my life.

I had a nutritionist at the hospital tell me it wasn't a safe diet, but my family physician not only thinks it is safe, but is tickled that my weight is down, my BP is down, my cholesterol is down, my knees are feeling better, and the unexpected surgery I had last month went very well with 70 less pounds of fat to cut through. I feel very lucky to have found the Atkins nutritional plan.

If you choose Atkins, don't worry about its effect on your Hashimoto Syndrome unless your doctor says there is a reason to worry.

Best of luck to you in whatever you choose!

 

[John In Illinois]

My doctor WAS anti-Atkins, based on the fears for my cholesterol levels. After losing 60 pounds AND lowering both my cholesterol and blood pressure, he is now an advocate!!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Wow, John. That is neat. I love to see the doctor's come around.

LuvnDisney,

I have low thyroid. I take .250mg daily. That is a pretty high dose. I am on a low carb diet. My internist knows about it, and encourages me with it. I just went to the GYN today, and told her what I was doing. She thought it was great and told me to keep with it. I think the doctors/medical community are coming around. They can't ignore research!!

And I've often wondered what they say about the diet of the Eskimos or Aberiginies(spelling?). They would have no veggies whatsoever, a very low carb diet and lived longer than we did, with lower cancer/heart disease rates. What do you do with that??

It's clearly not for everyone. But saying it is unhealthy.....well, I just think that is hiding your head in the sand. Even three,four years ago when I was attending WW, they said we might want to cut back on our carbs. That was a MAJOR turn around from when I went fourteen years ago.

You just have to pick a plan you can live with. Otherwise, NO plan will work. Good luck deciding and let us know whatever plan you pick. There are many different plans represented on this board and we all help each other out. See you soon.

 

[nancyj_pa]

luvndisney....my DH had lunch at his golf club yesterday with a doctor who is on Atkins. He's doing very well on it. He was enjoying bacon and eggs...hold the toast...and is losing weight and feeling well.

I had Grave's Disease (thyroid problem) that was treated with radioactive iodine. Now I am hypothyroid and take synthroid every day. To this day I think this is a big contributor to my weight gain over the last 12 years or so.

I've been on a modified Atkins plan (Protein Power) since the beginning of August. I'm a slow loser, only about 12 pounds so far, but I feel so much better and my knees no longer ache! I plan to eat low carb the rest of my life. I have about 30 grams of carbs per day and do eat veggies and lots of salad.

Check and see what your doctor says if you'd like. Or just try this for a few weeks and see if you feel O.K. It's the only thing that has worked for me for a long time.

 

[PixieMagic]

A friend's husband just had a "heart scare." After all the testing was done, the cardiologist said, "now you're going on Atkins." In a month, he's dropped 20 pounds.

 

[webray]

Always check with your doctor before starting any new eating plan.

We have been on atkins for only a short time...we eat great...we aren't stuffing our bodies with sugar like on low fat diets...we eat all natural food/meats/veggies/etc. There are great low carb breads...haven't tried the pastas yet, but we will get there.

The results for us are amazing...the weight loss, the inches lost, the drop in blood pressure. We can't wait to have our cholesterol retested.

Atkins is definately not a diet, but a lifestyle. We don't feel deprived of anything.