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Atkins Responds to Attack on Low-Carb Diet by
Alliance for Aging Research, Others
June 25, 2004 - In response to an attack on low-carb
diets and a demand for government action to determine its potential
harm, Atkins Health & Medical Information Services issued a news release
asking people to study their lifestyle food pyramid.
Atkins said the news release was, "To combat the confusion generated by recent
attacks from industry-funded groups such as the Partnership for
Essential Nutrition (partly funded by Weight Watchers) and the Produce
for Better Health Foundation." The Alliance for Aging Research is also
in the group asking for the government study.
Previous Story on Low-Carb Attack - Click
Here
The following is from the Atkins news
release:
The pyramid clearly reflects the nutritional
approach as stated by Dr. Robert C. Atkins since 1972, focusing on a
truly balanced nutritional approach -- including a variety of proteins,
good fats and nutrient-dense carbohydrates, such as leafy greens, other
vegetables and low-glycemic fruits. These groups by misrepresenting
Atkins as not including vegetables and low-glycemic fruits do a great
disservice to the millions of Americans who have benefited by following
the Atkins program, which is one of the few scientifically-validated
weapons in the battle against America's obesity epidemic.
In early 2004, the Atkins Physicians Council (APC)
briefed federal officials and members of the Bush Administration on the
Atkins Lifestyle Food Guide Pyramid(TM). The pyramid represents a
controlled-carbohydrate nutritional approach that could serve the needs
of many of the more than 100 million Americans who are losing the battle
against obesity.
"We recognize that there is no single nutritional
solution for Americans battling overweight, obesity, diabetes and heart
disease, but clearly the existing Food Guide Pyramid and future versions
that might continue to rely solely on low-fat, portion-control or
calorie-counting approaches will not be helpful to many of the
approximately 60 percent of our population who have been unsuccessful
using these same strategies over the past few decades," explains Stuart
Trager, M.D., medical director of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.
To further support the Atkins pyramid, there are
over 28 peer-reviewed clinical studies that support the principles
behind the Atkins Nutritional Approach(TM), each of which demonstrates
that, on average, subjects experience improvements in both weight loss
and health. These studies have now been performed for up to one year,
and the efficacy and safety of the approach is constantly being
reaffirmed.
"As physicians, we need to provide the full
spectrum of effective and safe options to the millions of Americans who
are in need of an individualized weight-management plan they can
follow," said Dr. Trager. "USDA surveys have shown that while 80 percent
of Americans recognize the existing Food Guide Pyramid, very few heed
its advice. Designing more practical and realistic versions of the
pyramid, including those based on controlling carbohydrates, will go a
long way to empowering people with effective tools and choices to battle
this epidemic of obesity."
The visual imagery of the Atkins pyramid and its
accompanying information were designed to provide clarity for those who
misunderstand the Atkins program and mistakenly believe that eating many
vegetables and fruits is not an integral part of doing Atkins properly.
Dr. Trager also points out that this is the first pyramid to take into
account the impact of increasing physical activity on optimal nutrition.
"What better positive reinforcement for the many health benefits of
improved fitness than the ability to enjoy an even broader range of food
options simply by increasing exercise?"
"It's time to work together to focus on
science-based medicine and nutrition," insists Mary C. Vernon, M.D. Dr.
Vernon, another member of the APC, is also the current vice president of
the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. "When it comes to
re-educating the American public this is a wake up call that is well
over due."
http://atkins.com/
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