The ever-evolving world of body and beauty consciousness has produced many fads and fables about how to achieve and maintain the perfect physique. One of the more recently popular fitness phenomena, the Atkins diet, has made its way into the forefront of the battle of the bulge.
Though its effectiveness is evident in many cases, some question whether this diet is a healthy way to lose weight.
"Growing up, I was taught that eating anything in excess is unhealthy and based on that, I'm not too sure if a no-carb or low-carb diet can be healthy for your body in the long run due to the excess protein that is consumed," said Pavan Bahl, a senior business major.
The Atkins diet is the brainchild of recently deceased fitness guru Dr. Robert Atkins, who used his medical expertise and personal trial to create a diet that involved low-carbohydrate and high-protein intake as a successful way of losing weight.
Though Atkins passed away in April 2003, his weight loss plan seems to have taken root in American diet culture, with everyone from celebrities to Subway patrons participating in the diet plan.
A number of Web sites and publications, including Atkins' own book "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution," published in 1992, have been devoted to the understanding and following the Atkins diet.
One site, www.atkins.com, outlined how the diet is said to work with the body to fight fat.
"By reducing your carbohydrate intake to less than 40 grams a day, you will enter a bodily process called ketosis," states an article on the site. "Ketosis is a state in which your body burns fat as fuel. Atkins also says that ketosis will affect insulin production which will prevent more fat from being formed."
Food establishments such as TGI Fridays and Subway that offer Atkins-friendly menus, along with McDonald's, who recently added the bun-less burger to their menu, are doing their part to bring Atkins into the life of the average American.
While Atkins dieticians consider the build-up of ketones an effective way for the body to rid itself of fat, some health officials worry that people might not be getting the full scope on the process of ketosis and how it affects the body.
With their site dedicated to informing people of what they believe to be the dangers of the Atkins diet the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine the makers of www.atkinsdietalert.org tries to highlight the potential health risks associated with the popular diet.
"High-protein, very-low-carbohydrate weight-loss diets are designed to induce ketosis, an abnormal state that also occurs in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and starvation," states the site. "Over the long run, ketosis can contribute to a variety of physical problems, including calcium losses, increased risk of osteoporosis, and an increased propensity to form kidney stones."
Mary Platek, director and dietetic intern of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, agreed this diet could have negative effects on the body.
Aside from the threat of ketone complications, when a person follows a low-carbohydrate high-protein diet, they put themselves risk for developing high cholesterol, which can lead to serious heart problems, according Platek.
While some experts condemn the Atkins and similar diets as hazardous to an individual's health, those who have had success with from following the strict diet plan.
Christopher Meigel, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said since he began the Atkins diet in May of last year he has lost about 60 pounds and is finding it easier to refrain from overeating.
"My mother's a nurse and she did it when she was younger with her folks. I'd tried everything ... I just really had no self control," said Meiger. "The beauty of this is once you stay away from carbs you can have anything you want. We decided it would be the best way to go and it just worked."
According to Meiger, the diet plan allows for a reintroduction of a monitored amount of carbohydrates after a few weeks, so the person who stays on the diet for a continued amount of time will not be completely deprived of the nutrients received from carbohydrates.
For Meiger, meals consist of eggs, meat, chicken, beef, fish, green salads, beans, an assortment of aged cheese and legumes like peanuts and cashews.
The fact that the diet is so concentrated with fats is a cause for concern for some.
Todd Casey, a resident nurse at Kaleida Health Buffalo General Hospital, said though he does not consider a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet dangerous, there are some things to consider while on such a diet.
"(Carbohydrates) are a fast source of energy, if you cut them out completely then your body's going to get energy from the protein and fat. The body then uses up the fat as an energy source, so that's probably where the diet gets its success. If you don't get enough protein and vitamins from other foods then you might lose muscle content."
Though he does not have a strict exercise routine, Meiger said working out and building muscle that might be lost due to ketone activity should go hand-in-hand with avoiding carbohydrates.
Though low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets like Atkins promise weight loss results, some of its critics contend that there is nothing exceptional about this diet except its possible detriments.
According to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a more low-risk way to lose weight and stay healthy is to mimic the low-fat, plant food diet of vegetarians.
Jon Hildebrandt, senior management information systems major, said he believes the Atkins diet is successful for one reason in particular.
"The diet is the latest fad and people are drawn to follow it because the diet promises quick and easy results."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
