There is little doubt that high protein/low carb (carbohydrate) diets are popular. Everywhere, advertising, media reports and celebrity endorsements attest to the fact that reducing or eliminating carbohydrates causes significant weight loss in a relatively short time.

Due to this promise, many people have embarked upon, or are thinking of starting, a high protein/low carb diet.

A Little HIstory
The high protein/low carb diet was first proposed by Dr. Robert Atkins, a prominent cardiologist, during the 1960s.  Encouraged by the improved health of his patients, in 1972, Dr. Atkins published Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution, which explained his findings and outlined the principles of high protein/low carb eating.

Twenty years later, in 1992, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution was published. Quickly adopted by Baby Boomers with expanding waistlines, the basic principles of the diet met with disapproval from nutritionists and others in the health care field. The reasons for this disapproval are medically sound: High protein foods are usually high in saturated fats - a risk factor for heart disease, and long-term high protein intake can put a strain on the kidneys. There is also concern that, by eliminating a specific food group, the correct nutritional balance is impossible to achieve.

Despite these well-publicized concerns, the Atkins® Diet continues to gain in popularity - its followers maintaining that they never feel “deprived” and are successfully losing or managing their weight.

Health Benefits and Risks
In addition to helping people lose and manage their excess weight, proponents of high protein/low carb diets have also maintained that this type of diet actually improves the body chemistry, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other major threats to the health and well being.

To determine if high protein/low carb diets do in fact help keep weight off and/or improve blood profiles, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, Duke University Medical School and other prestigious institutions have recently run clinical trials. While many health professionals expected the results to confirm that high protein diets achieve no more success than reduced calorie diets, and that an increased protein/fat intake would raise triglyceride and “bad”  cholesterol levels, the results of these studies confirmed the claims of Dr. Atkins and others: Sensible high protein/low carb diet regimens not only encourage significant weight loss, but also appear to improve triglyceride levels and  cholesterol profiles¹, and reduce the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes².

While long-term effects of following high protein/low carb diets require further investigation, it is wise to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to minimize the risk of kidney disease.

Please note that the Atkins® system is not for everyone. People with severe kidney disease should not follow the Atkins® diet. The weight-loss phases of the Atkins® approach are not appropriate for pregnant women and nursing mothers.  If you are currently taking diuretics, insulin or oral diabetes medications, you must undertake Atkins® only with the approval and guidance of your doctor.

Atkins Products Now at London Drugs
If you’re looking for Atkins® nutritional products, look no further than your local London Drugs!

We are pleased to offer you the full range of Atkins® Advantage™ bars in six mouthwatering flavours; Atkins® Quick Cuisine™ Muffin and Bread Mix, Fudge Brownie Mix, and Pancake and Waffle Mix; Pancake and Waffle Syrup, and Atkins® Endulge™ Treats in Peanut Butter Cups and Caramel Nut Chew. 

1. Westman, E.C, Yancy, W.S., Edman, J.S., Tomlin, K.F., Perkins, C.E., Effect of 6-month adherence to a very low carbohydrate diet program. Am J Med 2002;113:30–6.

2. Clifton, P.,  Noakes, M., CSIRO, Adelaide, Australia; Parker, B., Department of Medicine, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.  The Effect of a High Protein Weight Loss Diet in Overweight Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.

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