Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, New and Revised Edition (Paperback)

One of the most compelling parts of the book is the section on heart health/cholesterol--one of the topics for which he has consistently taken the most heat. He shows dramatically how much of the mainstream theory is being disproven by more and more studies: fat is not the enemy; sugar and high carbs (especially refined carbs) are more dangerous by far.

The other major gripe I have with the reception of this book is the assumption that the extreme low-carb approach is what Dr. Atkins advocates for everybody. Read more carefully, folks: that's the WEIGHT LOSS program. Once your weight is where you want it, you begin to eat more whole grain complex carbs and fruit (brown rice, millet, and the like, as opposed to refined carbs such as pastas and breads, and concentrated sugars such as fruit juices, honey, etc.) to halt the weight loss process. The book explains this very clearly.

One of the other consistent things I hear is the danger of consuming so much animal products given the horrible amounts of toxic chemicals pumped into commercially raised livestock (growth hormones, antibiotics, etc.) Again, read more carefully: at least 15 years ago, Dr. Atkins was among the first voices in this country to advocate ORGANIC meat and poultry--back when such a thing was largely unheard of. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, and in some areas harder to find; but isn't your health worth it?

Will Dr. Atkins ever advise you to eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's once a week? Not likely. But the powers that be have put on their blinders, and cite only the parts of Atkins' philosophy that suit their own intransigent purposes. Meanwhile a week doesn't go by when several clients come through my door and tell me, unsolicited, how since they've come off the high-carb/low-fat approach and incorporated more protein into their diets, they're feeling like human beings again for the first time in years.... more energy, greater mental clarity, better emotional stability/less depression, and long-term aches and pains beginning to disappear. Think for yourselves; experiment, and listen to your own bodies!

Read this book with an open heart and learn.

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In my eyes, the AMA has lost credibility by supporting diets that don't work and make people frustrated. More and more people like me, are discovering the connection between health problems [like, diabeties, heart problems and obesity] and carbo/sugar consumption. And, finding out that it is something that we can contol ourselves without having to rely on visits to the doctor and pharmecy for medication.

My wife has tried many 'approved diets' over the years and none of them worked. She has been on the Dr. Atkins diet for over a year now. She is healthier and happier than ever, and dropped 25 pounds until she reached her normal ideal weight and has kept it off, with occassional small rises here and there but very easy for her to get right back to her ideal weight. Her last medical exam was only a month ago, and the doctor said she is in fantastic health, all levels in normal range or better than normal range. This was an improvement from her medical exam around a year prior. She loves this diet. It has become a way of healthy life for her.

Two years ago I was in a normal cholesterol range, according to a blood test. Seven weeks ago, I had another blood test. Cholesterol was very high. My doctor told me that he was going to prescribe medication to bring my cholesterol down and that I'd be on it for life. Strangely, he did not inquire whether or not I exercised. Nor did he inquire whether or not my eating habits changed. He didn't inquire what had changed about my life style from two years ago or whether or not I ate more sugary foods, or lots of potatoes, bread, pasta and other carbos. I asked what could have caused my cholesterol to go up like that. His pat answer was "genetic". He had a know-it-all arrogant attitude that I found offensive, and I chose to do some research on the subject first. Call it coincidence, but all of a sudden there were several newspaper articles appearing in Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune with headings like "70 deaths directly related to cholesterol heart medication" and other similar articles. Yikes!

I decided that if my health was ok two years ago and since then I stopped exercising and started eating sugary foods and lots of bread, pasta, beer and soft drinks that maybe if started exercising and eating right I would recover lost ground. If I caused my own problem, then I should be able to correct it without taking risky drugs, as long as I follow the right advice.

We couldn't find the Dr. Atkins book in the house, so my wife bought me a new copy of the New Diet Revolution. It was exactly what I needed. It educated me as to the number one suspect for why my cholesterol had gone up: carbos and sugar affect insulin, which controls cholesterol production by the liver. Control your insulin and your cholesterol will head back towards normal. The book educated me on how to identify sugar in its many forms on processed food lables. It educated me on how to identify the foods my body needs for health, growth and a strong immune system. There is much more helpful related educational information in the book.

So, I started the diet about 5 weeks ago. Besides loosing 30 pounds, I noticed that my heartburn went away. Nor do I have 'gas' and various other aches and pains in my back and legs.

After about 1 week into the 2-week induction diet I had mild headaches coming and going for about a day and a half and they have never returned. Pretty much the same thing happened with some other minor aches and pains. During the 1st week I really missed spagetti and lasagna and bread and milk and chocolate and coffee and my morning cherry danish. Now, after 5 weeks I can easily live without them. I don't want to go back to feeling like I did when I was eating all those carbos and junk! The physiological and psychological cravings have gone away.

But, perhaps a difference between my success and some of those who didn't report success, is that I made a firm committment to follow the diet. Every day I would read part of the book. It really made more and more sense to me.

By the end of the 2nd week, I had less cravings for carbo's, increased energy and stamina.

Things just keep on improving for me. Now,I can literally say I can effortless walk right on by the most succlent chocolate snacks and cherry danish treats. The desire for them is either gone completely or so trivial that I don't even notice it anymore.

I don't get tired after eating a meal anymore like I used to, before the Dr. Atkins diet.

I don't feel nervous. I feel more certain and confident of myself. I think clearer.

I sleep better, don't wake up feeling drained of energy like I used to. I'm more alert, I have more life in me, I'm more energetic.

My skin is looking healthier.

My cholesterol has dropped.

My teeth and gums appear to be healthier.

For work, I sit at a desk all day, so 30 minutes of exercise a day along with vita-nutrients [including acidophilus] is a must for me, and definitely contributing to my improved sense of well-being and health.

As Dr. Atkins says in his book, if anyone has a problem on the diet, you can contact the Atkins Center in NYC for advice. [Did any any of the nay-sayers ever bother to do that?]

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