Archive for March, 2007

One More Time: Does the Atkins Diet Work?

Recent new evidence says it works as well or better than other popular diets, including Ornish, LEARN and Zone. But this study of 311 post-menopausal women does not compare Atkins or any of the other diets to the total healthy lifestyle. And it does not answer the question: Is it healthy LONG TERM?

The biological processes involved in metabolism suggest that ANY diet that reduces calories below daily requirements baseline will result in weight loss, and Atkins qualifies for that. However, there is also good reason for concern about the impact of a high fat diet on your long term health, especially for your kidneys and cardiovascular system.

The Hilton Head Health Institute does NOT recommend the Atkins diet. We have good reasons. If you are interested in following up on this argument check out my brief Atkins diet article in the H3I website.

1 comment March 31st, 2007

Salt - The Forgotten Diet Threat?

One of our favorite newsletters, the Berkeley Wellness Letter, has a featured article this month about salt.

Almost everyone knows salt is linked to hypertension, yet salt consumption is up 50% since the early 80’s.   Even though the research links salt to high blood pressure, heart attacks and stroke, efforts to re-classify it as a food additive so amounts added to prepared foods can be regulated have failed.  The Salt Institute claims there is no solid evidence for these health effects.

So, you are on your own again.  The good news is that most labels list sodium content.  U.S. dietary guidelines suggest an upper limit of 1500 milligrams for most middle-aged individuals.  Keep your journal.

Add comment March 7th, 2007

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