27 New Life-Threatening Cardiac Events Reported By Atkins-Type Dieters

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News Release

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday , December 22, 2003

 

CONTACT: Contact: Jeanne Stuart McVey, 202-686-2210, ext. 316; cell

415-509-1833

 

 

27 New Life-Threatening Cardiac Events Reported By Atkins-Type

Dieters

Doctors Issue Updated Report, Urge CDC to Take Immediate Action

 

 

WASHINGTON—Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias have emerged as one

of the most serious potential risks reported by dieters on a high-

protein, high-fat, low-carb diet, says an updated report issued by

the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Since last

month when PCRM issued its first report, 244 additional patients

have contacted the nonprofit via its online registry to report

illnesses and fatalities linked to following a high-protein diet.

 

 

 

" One of the most striking findings in the new group of registrants

is the large number of people reporting acute heart problems,

especially cardiac arrhythmias, " says Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., PCRM's

nutrition director. " Several Atkins dieters told us they suffered

cardiac events that required hospitalization. " Nineteen of the new

cases are similar to the scientifically documented death of a 16-

year-old girl from Missouri. Some low-carb diets are designed to

induce a metabolic state called ketosis, which, in some cases, can

cause electrolyte depletions leading to life-threatening cardiac

arrhythmias.

 

 

 

For example, a 47-year-old computer analyst from Chattanooga,

Tennessee, reported three severe episodes of cardiac arrhythmia

while in the ketosis-inducing phase of the Atkins diet. During the

third episode, he was hospitalized. The medical staff found low

levels of potassium, a condition linked to both low-carb diets and

life-threatening malfunctions of the heart's electrical system. Very

low potassium levels were found in the 16-year-old Atkins dieter who

died of cardiac arrest.

 

 

 

Other heart problems described by Atkins dieters include eight

reported heart attacks and numerous cases of elevated cholesterol.

Kidney disorders, gout, and other conditions have also figured in

the new statistics. As previously reported by PCRM, a 53-year-old

man whose heart scan showed no sign of disease went on the high-fat,

low-carb diet for two and a half years and developed severe heart

disease. This patient, Jody Gorran, is available for interviews with

journalists, as are other former dieters.

 

 

 

In November, PCRM called on the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) to begin an investigation into the prevalence of

adverse effects and deaths associated with high-fat, low-carb diets.

In light of the additional fatalities and cases of serious disease

that have been reported over the past few weeks, PCRM is urging the

CDC to take immediate action.

 

 

 

For a copy of the updated report or interviews with patients and

doctors, please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316.

 

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive

medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical

research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and

promotes alternatives to animal research.

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Related Material

Report by Neal Barnard, M.D., and Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D.

Updated Analysis of Health Problems Associated with High-Protein,

High-Fat, Carbohydrate-Restricted Diets Reported via an Online

Registry

Atkins Diet Alert Web site

 

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Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive

medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical

research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and

promotes alternatives to animal research.

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