Carbohydrate Awareness Council's Statement on Dr. Atkins' Death

The Carbohydrate Awareness Council today issued a statement concerning the controversy surrounding Dr. Atkins' death and the low carbohydrate approach to weight loss.

(PRWEB) February 13, 2004 -- The leadership at the Carbohydrate Awareness Council (CAC) is appalled at the unethical behavior of those who recently violated the privacy of the late Dr. Robert Atkins’ medical records. We believe this type of behavior clearly demonstrates the moral constitution of those who would attack his science-based dietary advice.

Regarding the publicly-disclosed facts of the case, they in no way detract from Dr. Atkins’ low carbohydrate approach to weight loss. Specifically, the charges that he was obese are clearly refuted by his well-documented appearances shortly before his death. Clinicians who have treated bed-bound, comatose patients in intensive care situations are very familiar with the profound fluid retention sometimes seen in these unfortunate individuals. Fluid retention is especially common in those whose heart has been weakened by previous viral infections.

More importantly, one can not make scientific conclusions from one case (an “N of one”). A very reasonable explanation for the status of Atkins’ coronary arteries could be that he was genetically predisposed to atherosclerosis. His adherence to a low carbohydrate diet may have delayed a heart attack that he might otherwise have been destined to have at age 50. We will never know.

What is factual is that a controlled-carbohydrate approach to weight loss improves all accepted blood markers of cardiovascular risk. The CAC urges those concerned with this controversy to heed the scientific data. We at the CAC will continue to strive to provide this information in a timely, ethical, and level-headed manner.

# # #