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I thank Dr. Merrill for being brave enought to write this article, but I have one bone to pick: I think his contention that Atkins diet should not be followed for more than a couple of months is a throw-back to his old paradigm that fat is bad. It reminds me of when I realized that my religion did not fit, but still I felt I ought to send my kids to church - not quite rational.

Have any of you seen any proof that the good effects of Atkins diet are negated after a short stint?? Are there any long term studies - besides indigenous peoples in cold climates - that show that relatively high fat diets with low white carbs is detrimental to health??

Yes, an interesting article. His reservations are not supported by the evidence. Stefansson and a colleage lived for a year on meat and fish only and did very well--no maladies, lower weight, and lower cholesterol (if that even matters). I know of no studies that show that over the long term healthy fats (including saturated fat) cause health problems when combined with low-carb eating. Do a google each on Mary Enig to read more.

Sheldon

I read a book on longevity several years ago - wish I could remember the title. It was starvation, low-fat, mainline medical everything. I found it quite interesting that the two authors of the book, in an afterword, mentioned they were NOT following the plan they'd just outlined and were, instead, trying a paleolithic style diet.

"I am concerned about its possible effects on people with serious heart, liver or kidney disease and cancer. As long as you are healthy, a high-fat diet is usually fine for a while. But after about a month, you should go off it. "

It's amazing how people, even with evidence staring them in the face, STILL can't see the truth! Why does he say this? Simply because it's less threatening to his e-g-o to go with the sears, etc diets, which are really just theories of 1 researcher, modern diets, and don't have 1% of the skilled research or clinical experience behind them that Eades, Atkins, Lutz, etc have! No, you don't have to stop eating "high fat" after a month, a year, or a decade. FAT IS HEALTHY! When will the low-fat world dictatorship of death finally end? It's even spreading to France now (along with increased obesity, of course)...

Note his comment on having at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day. Hello, doc: even on induction, you're instructed to have three cups, plus you're allowed 1/2 avocado and olives. That's up to 8 servings!

I don't like how he uses the fact that Dr Atkins was selling books to negate his decades of experience as a cardiologist. I'm as suspicious of motive as the next guy when it comes to hype and sales, but I don't think it's fair to dismiss information purely on that.

Same old story: criticism of the myth instead of the actual plan.

Is it just me, or did his use of the word "carbo" get on everyone's nerves?

And I thought I was the only one it bothered!

The Native Americans favorite travel food was pemmican, which was about 50/50 shredded dried meat and fat with a few dried berries added, preserved in skin bags. Nyah Levi