Extra, extra! Under the category of "gee, really?" news, word comes out today that following the meat-intensive Atkins diet for prolonged periods may increase your risk of clogged arteries, heart disease and high cholesterol. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine wants the CDC to monitor Atkins followers over time to determine whether a link exists between heart attacks and high-fat diets.
While the caution put out is only preliminary, it makes a lot of sense. Atkins disavows the benefits of a diet that depends upon fruit, vegetables and grains, foregoing these for meat, fat, and more meat. As usual, common sense regarding the benefits of a balanced diet flies out the window as we rush to beat the fat with the latest fad. However, according to the Reuters release, "Many doctors and the American Heart Association have warned that the [Atkins] diet could be dangerous. The American Heart Association advocates a diet based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables."
I'm sorry: am I supposed to be surprised by this? The possible health risks of excess meat consumption is an old story. Positive associations have been found between red meat and colon cancer. High levels of dietary fat are linked to increased risks for a plethora of health problems. Our generation lives in an increasingly overweight society, and the impacts to social health are getting worse. It's time we junked the trendy diets for what really works; better to focus on low fat vegetarian or vegan diets (as PCRM suggests) than scarf the next T-bone in the name of slimming down.
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