My mom watched Dr. Phil this morning, and he had a doctor on there that said if you stay on the Atkin's diet too long you will encounter brain problems. Or at least thats the way she interpreted what he said (I didn't see it). Now she says she won't stay on Atkins very long, but you see she has over 100# to loose. Can anyone tell me if this is true, or why it is not? Thank you!!

Started 12/19/2003

160/154/130
147 by Feb.14, 2004

I think something may have been lost in the translation.


As far as I'm aware, the only link to brain damage and low carbing is during pregnancy. And the concern is for the baby, not the mother. But doctors will admit there's no proof (after all, who would agree to be a test subject?), it's just their theory.

Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Dr. Phil loves to slam Low-carb plans especially since he has his own eating plan to promote now. He even has bars out now that contain sugar!!!! It disgusts me how he is missing the boat on this issue. If you only eat meat and no veggies I'm sure you could induce some brain damage. I watched that show too and was YELLING at the TV. There is a phallacy running rampant that your brain can't be fed unless you eat carbs. It requires glucose and is its only source of energy. The body has an amazing ability to convert protein to glucose. So it will still get fed even on a higher protein diet. Do you remember ever hearing that you should load up on protein before a test? Why do you suppose that is? Protein IS brain food. If your mother follows the RIGHT low carb program, she will lose weight AND feed her brain easily. Atkins isn't a NO-CARB plan.....it is about eating HEALTHY carbs....veggies and low-glycemic fruits. What is so insane about eating a chicken breast, a salad and brocolli? That is a typical dinner for me. There is so much misinformation out there and Dr. Phil is perpetuating it, especially since he has something to sell. I love the man dearly, but I have a huge bone to pick with him on this account. Has your mom actually read The New Diet Revolution book by Dr. Atkins? If not, then how can she make an informed decision? The worst part of the program is the first 2 weeks where you severely restrict you carb intake. It lasts only 2 weeks, does no long term damage as long as you move onto OWL right away and then move into lifetime maintenance at the end. The key is to eat balanced, exercise, drink water and get rid of the JUNK food. It makes perfect sense. The refined carbs consisting mainly of refined flour and corn products is what gets us into trouble. I hope your mother will reconsider and give a GOOD LC program a try. Her health depends on it.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

I agree with Bright!
Mary

"The joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Thank you all for the quick replies . We have the book, and my mom has read about half of it, so far. You see, one of her friends keeps telling her that there side effects to doing atkins, For example, she said that she knows a lady that had to quit atkins because it was making her hair fall out. I personally think there are many more good side effects.

Started 12/19/2003

160/154/130
147 by Feb.14, 2004

Maybe that woman's hair was falling out because of thyroid issues or other health issues. I've read post here where people say their hair has gotten better as well as their skin and nails. Maybe your mom should just eat meat, veggies, eggs and salad. And later add strawberries, blueberries and cantaloupe and nuts. Would she be okay with that? What about giving up sugar? Does any of that sound unreasonable? It sounds healthy to me. That's what Atkins is REALLY about.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Eating only meat and no veggies is certainly NOT recommended. We need the phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber that vegetables provide.

But, I'm not sure I agree that eating meat and no veggies could cause brain damage, although you might end up with scurvy, which would be no picnic either. And if you refused to eat any fat with your meat, you would become very ill indeed.

The Inuit people used to live quite nicely through the winters on little more than what they could hunt. However, I doubt most of us would be quite up to eating the organ meats, stomach contents, skin and other various critter parts in order to get vitamin C - especially raw (or nearly so)! And I'd much rather cosy up to a bowl of delicious, multi-colored salad than a big ol' slab of whale blubber.


http://laurelyn.home.comcast.net/lowcarb/

I've had both things happen with the hair. I've lost hair before, when I tried to lose weight too quickly and was too aggressive with some of the things I was doing. This time I'm taking a leisurely and sound pace and eating a variety of foods and I'm growing NEW HAIR. That's stunning to me. I haven't grown NEW hair anywhere since puberty. I'm not sure about the reasons why, although the extra vegetables may have something to do with it.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Dr I, have you seen this article? It's linked off the "Research: Other Topics" section here and it associates elevated insulin and growth factors with male-pattern baldness. Don't know if you had that type, but it's interesting nonetheless, I think.


http://laurelyn.home.comcast.net/lowcarb/

I think Dr Phil could stand to lose a few pounds himself!!! Maybe he should try the patch (over his mouth) ha ha!! I dont know where all of these people are coming from with these opinions...just trying to sell their gimmicks. I will say that the proof is in the pudding so to speak. I have been low carbing fora year now and feel great!! I have had it with the donuts and candy bars. I love this way of life and I am sticking to it!!! brain damage???? is anybody listening to this guy?

What do they come up with next? If it's not one thing, they have to find another. Since I've been doing this WOL, my mind is SHARPER!

I read something similar in a magazine the other day (Self). In it they compared different diets and SLAMMED Atkins. Supposedly a person tried it out. They wrote so many untruths, I had to send them an e-mail. I was furious! Next thing they tell us, is that we'll get cancer.

Just sick of people who open their mouths and talk about things they know nothing about and/or haven't done sufficient research on.

Never give up! Never surrender!

Katrin

Well said Danny and Katrin!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Jul, I understand your concern, but just because Dr. Phil said it doesn't make it correct. He's a psychologist, not a medical doctor, and evidently misunderstands the basic physiology of nutrition.

The brain does not need carbohydrates to fuction, the brain needs glucose. Every thing you eat, be it protein, fat or carbs, is turned to glucose by the body. EVERTHING. Not carbs exclusively or even primarily -it's all the same. If the body doesn't produce enough glucose, then the brain uses ketones. Well guess what kind of diet is the best for producing ketones?

There are all kinds of studies supporting this fact. Here's just one: Amiel, S.A., "Organ Fuel Selection: Brain," The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 54(1), 1995, pages 151-155.

If you are really concerned, I'd suggest you email the Dr. Phil show and ask for some documentation supporting his statement. I can pretty much gaurantee you that there is no medically recognized study that does.

And if you're still concerned, there are other low carb food plans, like the Zone that don't restrict you carb intake as much as Atkins does.


Here's another supporting statement:
"The process of fat metabolism produces ketones, which are used as a source of energy. Ketones are particularly important for the brain. When glucose is not available, the brain turns to the alternative energy source of ketones. Ketosis (elevated ketone levels in the blood) is normal during fasting, after prolonged exercise and when a high-fat diet is consumed."

Mitchell, G.A., Kassovska-Bratinova, S., Boukaftane, Y., et al., "Medical Aspects of Ketone Body Metabolism," Clinical and Investigative Medicine, 18(3), 1995, pages 193-216.



Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

[This message was edited by Brightlady on 01-02-04 at 03:23 PM.]

I, too, read the 'review' in the Self magazine, and was disgusted by their 'information-or lack thereof'. They gave the Atkin's one of the lowest ratings (C-), whereas Dr. Phil's diet and the South Beach Diet (among others) were rated higher.

235/235/135

Hi,
from all the research I've read (there really isn't very much at all) regarding low carbohydrate eating, it would appear that there are a variety of reactions, which are specific to the individual. This is very true of all diets..some people just do not fare well on low carb diets, whilst others thrive on it.
Certainly the brain does respire exclusivly on glucose but can use ketones as an alternative fuel..so initially there can be a few adjustments, which include dizziness and slight memory loss (mainly just forgetfulness)..however these side effects are only in the initial stages of ketosis. The body and the brain have to adjust! As for permanent damage..to date, I have not read of any in peer reviewed journals.
The comment regarding pregnancy..it is always advisable to chat with a physician regarding diet when pregnant (but I'm just typing the obvious..you all know this!), but there is a lot of research out there that shows a high protein diet is actually very good for the developing foetus with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events recorded in these offspring. Again, I stress that anyone who is pregnant should discuss diet full with their own general practitioner prior to embarking on any diet.
Some scientists (and I include medics in that group) find it very difficult to accept conflicting data presented to them and persist with 'older' ideologies..it was only 50 or so years ago that many top scientists poopood the idea of DNA carrying hereditary material for goodness sake! Even tho' the benefits of low carb eating have been known for some time, the 'fat' factor is still something that the scientific community cannot accept as anything other than detrimental to health.
What I would like to see is more research..but then again, I'm biased in that viewpoint!