Atkins Linked to Blood Vessel, Heart Damage

High-fat, low-carb regimen unhealthy over time, study says
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 7, 2007 6:36 AM CST

The Atkins diet can hurt blood vessels and swell inflammation linked to artery and heart disease over time, according to a study released yesterday. US scientists say the Atkins regimen can cause inflammation to spike by 30-40%, while low-fat diets like South Beach and Ornish kept it stable or lowered it "by as much as 15 to 20 percent," Reuters reports.

Most diets work in the short run, scientists said, so they looked at dieters after a month of weight loss. "When you lose weight everything looks good but after a while you plateau and you hit a maintenance stage," one said. That's when Atkins' negative numbers set in. Most studies show that high-vegetable, low-fat diets with grain are healthiest over time. (More Atkins diet stories.)

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