Statement by Stuart Trager, M.D., Chair, Atkins Physicians Council on February 10, 2004 Report on Dr. Atkins Weight at the Time of his Death

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's Wall Street Journal ran a story on the health of Dr. Robert Atkins and grossly distorted and inaccurately reported information that Dr. Atkins was obese at the time of his death. In fact, up until the time he became comatose and lay in the hospital for two weeks. Dr. Atkins' average weight was actually 60 pounds less than reported in the Journal. The newspaper article was based on incomplete personal medical records that were illegally delivered to the newspaper in violation of federal law, coming from a known group of Vegan and animal rights extremists.


Dr. Atkins' weight was consistently and frequently documented in the years and months prior to his fall; as he was suffering from cardiomyopathy, his health was monitored closely. Due to water retention, this robust 6-foot plus man, who competitively played tennis frequently during the week, had a weight that varied between 180 and 195. During his coma, as he deteriorated and his major organs failed, fluid retention and bloating dramatically distorted his body and left him at 258 pounds at the time of his death, a documented weight gain of over 60 pounds. How and why the Journal reported that he was obese, remains the only unanswered question in this pathetic situation.


Any implication that Dr. Atkins was obese or fat prior to his coma, shows a blatant disregard or even worse, lack of understanding of the medical facts surrounding this case, or of the physiology of severe heart failure and the degree of fluid retention that occurred during this hospitalization. None of us would expect the physicians at PCRM to reveal this in light of their past and their current motivation ... but surely as physicians they understood that this was not obesity, I guess it just didn't support the point they cared to convey ... so they chose to ignore it?


Source: Stuart Trager, M.D.

[This message was edited by LCandrea on 02-10-04 at 01:24 PM.]

That is utterly shameful! So glad we can find the truth when we look for it instead of relying on the sensation seeking media.

Connie

[img]//www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif[/img]

How sad is that. What is the point in trying to slander a dead man?! He's dead, leave him alone for peat's sake! What horrible people.



Future Star
Atkins since 2001

What a bunch of unethical b@st@rds, excuse my language, but no other word is appropriate.


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
Valentine's Day Goal: 180

Thanks Andrea! I had been wondering what the whole story was. I recall seeing pics. of him shortly before he died and the man did not look 60lbs+ overweight.


__________________________________________________ ________

But once in awhile the odd thing happens,
Once in a while the dream comes true,
And the whole pattern of life is altered,
Once in awhile the moon turns blue.~ Auden

Your not going to believe this! Was just watching CNBC(a business channel) and was shocked by what I heard. A Ray Hennessey from Dow Jones who was doing a report on pasta companies and their downslide said and I quote "We now found out Atkins was probably sneaking Twinkies here and there." I saved it in my Tivo. Shameful!

CNBC is now asking for e-mails about this story. Please give them an earful.

Others may have said this before me, but it is so interesting to me how much, and to what extent so-called professionals, are willing to go through to distort and discredit Dr. Atkins and his low carbohydrate solution to many of the health problems in this country. It leads me to believe that A LOT of folks (corporations, industries) must be losing a lot of money because folks like us are following a low carb lifestyle.
These corporations, backed by so-called professional organizations, are certainly desperate to get us to turn away from low carb eating and return to the very way of eating that reduces our quality of life and cuts short life spans. Is this sick or what???? I think it says a lot about the priorities of these companies--profits over prinicpals.

It kinda reminds me of the situation years ago when cigarette company CEOs made assurances to the public about the effect of their products on our health. If that seems like a stretch, watch the film "The Insider" to see the lengths corps. will go to protect profits.
My 2 cents.

Cherub
304/280/160
5'9"
Started Atkins 01/04/04

Cal-Maine Foods(a leading producer of eggs) is down 3.5% today. Interestingly enough Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are up 2.5%.