The Atkins diet is named for Robert C. Atkins,
M.D., the diet’s founder. It is based on restrictions of
carbohydrates and focuses on eating mostly protein
and fat, along with use of vitamin and mineral
supplements.
From the beginning, Dr. Atkins, a cardiologist, said
that limiting intake of carbohydrates (sugars and
starches) would improve health and aid in weight
control. The original premise for developing the diet
came about because of Atkins’ frustration with the
increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases such
as diabetes.
Research results have varied over the years concerning
the Atkins diet. The research has tended to
support that Atkins followers have experienced comparable
or higher weight loss than people on traditional
low-fat diets with higheramounts of carbohydrates, but
for only a six-month period. After 12 months, weight
loss was about equal.
Some research also has shown
that the diet has not produced damaging cholesterol or
heart effects, but these studies have not been large,
long-term trials. For example, effects of increased fat
consumption on diet followers’ heartsmay take years to surface and in any medical research, large numbers of
participants are needed to account for many variables.
Though some studies
showed that people on the Atkins diet often lost
weight faster in six months than those on other weight
loss programs, the long-term effectiveness and possible
harmful effects of the Atkins diet required more
study.
In 1992, Dr. Atkins updated his Diet Revolution
and by 2004 Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution had sold
more than 45 million copies and been translated into
25 languages.
The new plan was the same, but the
maintenance portion of the diet was made a little
more liberal. The diet was extremely popular, as were
Atkins Nutritionals products, such as vitamin supplements
and numerous food items.
A later Web-based
version called the Atkins Advantage emphasized the
products of Atkins Nutritionals and offered additional
books, software, and information on a company
Website to support the program’s goals and
products.
