Low-Carb Diets Unhealthy and a Ripoff, Experts Say

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Low-Carb Diets Unhealthy and a Ripoff, Experts Say

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http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/25651/story.htm

 

USA: June 23, 2004

 

 

WASHINGTON - Popular low-carbohydrate diets are leading Americans to poor

health and are spawning a rip-off industry of " carb-friendly " products,

health experts and consumer advocates said yesterday.

 

 

They announced a new group, called the Partnership for Essential Nutrition,

to help educate Americans about the need for healthy carbohydrates such as

vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains.

" When unproven science becomes a sales pitch, some people get rich and the

rest of us get ripped off, " Jeffrey Prince of the American Institute for

Cancer Research told a news conference.

 

" Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, which are all

predominantly carbohydrate, is linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart

disease, stroke, diabetes and a range of other chronic diseases. "

 

Prince said low-carb diets that advocate piling on the animal protein and

fat are " increasing the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke,

type-2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. "

 

The new group includes such organizations as the Alliance for Aging

Research, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the AICR and the

American Obesity Association.

 

Its Web site at http://www.essentialnutrition.org/ is especially critical of

programs such as the Atkins diet that advocate throwing the body into a

condition called ketosis. During this phase the body sheds water as it tries

to get rid of excess protein and fat breakdown products.

 

" Losing weight on these extreme low-carb diets can lead to such serious

health problems as kidney stress, liver disorders and gout, " the group

advises.

 

The group published a survey of 1,017 adults, done by Opinion Research

Corporation, that showed 19 percent of dieters are trying to cut carbs.

 

The survey found that 47 percent them believed that low-carb diets can help

them lose weight without cutting calories.

 

" They are confused. They lack an understanding of the basic science, "

Barbara Moore, president of Shape Up America, told the news conference.

 

She said a " trickle-down effect " meant other Americans were now eating fewer

fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. " The U.S.

government, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, National

Cancer Institute and American Diabetes Association all recommend getting at

least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables. They also recommend

eating plenty of whole grains.

 

The National Consumers League said it found dieters were spending an average

of $85 a month on so-called low-carbohydrate products, although the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate or regulate low-carb claims.

 

" Consumers are paying a premium price for a carb-friendly lifestyle, " said

Alison Rein of the National Consumers League.

 

She called for the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies to

issue immediate interim guidelines on such claims.

 

Studies show that a low-carbohydrate approach can cause people to lose

weight more quickly than a low-fat diet for the first six months, but the

low-fat approach catches up after a year.

 

 

 

 

Story by Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

 

 

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE