The issue with high protein diets like Atkins is that it can damage the kidneys. I suspect that if you were to speak with your physician, he or she would probably freak out that you were dropping one-and-a-half pounds per day on this diet.

Permanent kidney damage is very serious. Just ask someone who has been on kidney dialysis.

Kralizec typed:


This is a myth. Actually, many physicians are jumping on the Atkins bandwagon, including my own.
Check out the link below.

http://atkins.com/science/researchsummaries/kidneys.html
Here is one of the subjects.
A Prospective Comparative Study of Moderate Versus High Protein Intake for Critically Ill Patients With Acute Renal Failure
Reference:
Bellomo, R., Seacombe, J., Daskalakis, M., et al., "A Prospective Comparative Study of Moderate Versus High Protein Intake for Critically Ill Patients With Acute Renal Failure," Renal Failure, 19(1), 1997, pages 111-120.

Summary:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a moderate vrsus a high-protein diet on individuals with kidney failure. All subjects received equal amounts of calories but variable amounts of protein. The high-protein group received 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. The moderate-protein group received 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. Researchers discovered that subjects in the moderate-protein group were in a “negative nitrogen balance.” (When the body is in positive nitrogen balance, it will use protein to build and repair tissues, instead of breaking them down for energy as it does in a negative nitrogen balance. They concluded that a high-protein diet could be safely administered to critically ill patients with acute kidney failure receiving dialysis. A high-protein intake improves nitrogen balance when compared to a moderate-protein intake.

Commentary:
The findings of this study can be applied to the Atkins Principle of Disease Prevention. A high-protein diet did not impair kidney function in patients with acute kidney failure on dialysis. These patients also benefited from the diet by staying in positive nitrogen balance. Carbohydrate controlled nutrition, which tends to be relatively high in protein, may not negatively impact kidney function while increasing the likelihood of remaining in positive nitrogen balance in healthy persons.

I might be wrong about this but I do recall from my diabetes classes that diets like that can lead to other serious conditions such as ketoacidosis. No that isn't from Mary Poppins but a buildup of waste products in the blood. If you go on a extreme low carb diet your body still needs the same amount of energy. Guess where it comes from? If you geussed fat you are correct. Trouble is when the fat is processed a byproduct is produced called ketones. The problem is when the body can't remove the ketones quick enough. As the ketones build up your blood can become acidic. Build up enough and its a big problem. It does have some uses though. Studies have shown the ketogenic diet can be an effective means of treating seizures.

Bottom line check with your doctor.

Hey Jarg

I'm not being negative or anything, because I think it's great you've taken a step toward being more healthy (while I've taken a giant leap backward by starting smoking again). But I have several friends who are trying to lose weight with everything EXCEPT the Atkins diet, because it is supposed to have some real risks involved.

That link you provided is not a neutral authority on the matter. Of course, there is no such thing as total non-partisan neutrality on anything, but have you checked with your physician, in conjunction with a complete blood work-up and physical? As an internet buddy who likes to see you online, I would recommend you definitely do this, as it could have a major impact on your body. My friend who has tried every diet under the sun, including the "moon diet" and "soup diet," has also said that any return to carbs after the atkins diet will re-establish the poundage. He also thinks that the first few weeks of any diet is mostly water-loss.

Mah

Like Mahatma, I would like to congratulate you on taking control of your own health destiny. Obesity is a very serious health risk that all too many people ignore.

Regarding the statement on the Atkins web site about the link between high protein diets and kidney damage being a myth, you should give their statements about as much credence as you would any testimonial from someone trying to sell you something. Good, reliable health information can be found on third-party web sites such as http://www.WebMD.com.

The nonprofit group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine < http://www.pcrm.org > (founded in 1985 to promote preventive medicine and good nutrition) states the following about high protein diets and kidneys:



Personally I think it is great that you have lost weight, but I just want to caution you to do it safely so that you can keep redeeming the rest of us. :)

I'm not sure, but perhaps a diet rich in this stuff might help you to lose weight too. Or perhaps the monkey tea, or reindeer pate? :twisted: :lol:

:wink:

Vegemite is best. How could we all have missed this fact for so long? It is the answer to everything.

OK, I still hear good valid concern here which is like I said...GOOD. I'm shocked at the amount of weight you've lost already and am very happy for you. Do as many have said and see your doctor to see what he says. You can still secretly diet all you want but be sure that at least you know the truth for yourself. You may even tell us what he said one day.

Think Vegemite!

My wife and I love the stuff! We have our Aussie mate send us a new jar every year or so. Luckily none of our American friends can stand the stuff, so we get to keep it all to ourselves! :mrgreen:

Nameless, I am always AMAZED at what people will pay good money for... Coffee that has been barfed up by a weasle???? You're right, I'd loose a lot of weight.

I appreciate all of the concern, I really do. My next doctors appointment is on January 5th. I will have him take some bloodwork then and post the results here. My goal is to be at 220 by that time, and I think it is achievable. Also, I think I forgot to mention that my blood pressure yesterday was an astonishing 128 over 73. I can not remember a time it has been that low.

Also remember, when I hit my goal, I am going to celebrate with a big bowl of pasta alfredo or a pizza, or perhaps some pupusa, a Salvidorian dish. Either way, I will eat a more "normal" diet then. I really do not think that three months of high proteins will affect me in the long run as much as 32 years of JUNK food did.

Very Cool jarg On your Blood pressure.
I am glad you are see doctor about health and weight......
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
I am very weight. But Doctor has very complain about my blood pressure. It reg.I been hurt at work.When I was at hotel .Nurse told me It was normal.If someone over weight and was hurt from anything it shoot up there.

Well, as I reported earlier, I went to the doctor yesterday. I had a full set of bloodwork done, and the results are great. I was concerned that my cholersterol would be high... Nope. It was 151, which is close to perfect. All other test were also very good. The nurse even said that I should continue doing everything that I am doing now.

FYI

Nice to hear your doing well Jarg

I missed two programmes i wanted to watch, one last week one this sunday. last week was about the atkins diet and the one sunday was about the fattest city in america houston texas also voted the fattest place in the world i heard they did things big in texas but not that big :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Good job on getting the check up, Jarg. Sounds like it is working for you.

I watched a Dateline a few nights ago where a group of 8 people all went on different types of diets to get ready for their high school reunion. Atkins dieter came in second, not bad. Seems like the most successful diets contained a major psychological component, like hypnotherapy or counselling.

Didn't all of them excersise except the Slim Fast guy? He didn't because of the bad back but still managed to drop some poundage. If the check up was good and the pros tell you to keep it up then have at it. What is the total weight loss at this point? I'm lucky. I'm in the fattest city in the world, Houston, and I'm not overweight. I stand 6' 1" at about 180lbs. Houston is big and fat and we do have huge servings of everything everywhere. I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say way to go Jarg. I think it's a hell of a thing you are doing and the I don't think it's all Atkins either. I think it was your focus and determination. If you have any left over when it's all done, please send it to me so I can quit smoking. Thank you!

Very cool Jarg Keep it up.But watch out for your health too.