A recent study published in the online journal BMJ. com has uncovered that the women who prefer eating low-carbohydrates and high-protein diet are more likely to suffer a heart disease at some stage of their life.

The findings have been revealed by a group of surveyors from the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The researchers say that while physical exercises and education level of one helps him reduce his risks of getting a heart problem.

Smoking and Atkins-style diet are responsible for increasing the risks. Out of 44,000 Swedish women of ages 30 to 49 years, who were examined from 1991-92 for 15 years, nearly 43,396 women had experienced 1270 incidents of heart.

Also, a number equivalent to five per 10,000 women on such diets tended to suffered from a cardiovascular disease, the study has found.

While the number is low, a 28% rise has been noticed on a whole, the team told. Also, the figure is highly concerning since more number of women tending to follow the Atkin-diet are young in age.

"Don't feel you have to choose between carbohydrates or protein - a bit of both is better for your long term heart health", said Victoria Taylor, the foundation's Senior Dietitian.

Official Response from Atkins

Denver, CO – June 27, 2012 – Atkins Nutritionals Inc. has requested that the British Medical Journal (BMJ) retract its false and misleading statement that, according to a recent Swedish study,  an “Atkins-style” diet is to blame for increased risk of cardiovascular disease among a specific female population in Sweden.    The study itself never mentioned the term “Atkins-style” and the diet in the study did not in any way resemble the Atkins Diet.

The diet tested in the study is not the Atkins Diet.

· The diet tested had 51% carbohydrates, while the Atkins Diet begins at 10% carbohydrates, and increases to 20%-30% over several weeks as the dieter reaches and maintains target weight.       
· The Atkins Diet emphasizes a healthy balance of proteins and good fats, and includes vegetables, fruits and even whole grains.

It appears that BMJ, to draw public attention to its story, misleadingly inserted the false suggestion that an “Atkins-style” diet was used in the study, and omitted the conclusion of the Swedish researchers that diets similar to the actual Atkins Diet do not necessarily harm cardiovascular health.  Atkins has demanded an apology and corrective action from the British Medical Journal.

Key studies done to date measuring the Atkins Diet’s effect on heart health have shown diminished risk.  Examples include a 2010 study published in Circulation (lead researcher Shai) demonstrated that a 2-year weight loss diet can induce a significant regression in heart disease markers and decline in blood pressure.  Additionally a 2010 study published in Annals of Internal Medicine entitled “Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After Two Years On a Low-Carbohydrate Versus Low-Fat Diet: A Randomized Trial” demonstrated better outcomes for risk factors for heart disease and blood pressure in the low-carbohydrate participants.

Dr. David Haslam, GP bariatric physician and former chair of the British Obesity Forum adds, “The editorial to this Swedish research is below the standards one expects of the British Medical Journal and betrays the lack of awareness of scientific principles or the requirement of checking facts before publication. The Atkins Diet is a scientifically validated one, which is balanced and contains the foods deemed important by this paper. Furthermore, Atkins is a diet I recommend to my patients.”

Monty Sharma, CEO of Atkins Nutritionals, states “We request those media outlets who have unwittingly republished the British Medical Journal’s incorrect statements to speak with Atkins and learn what the Atkins diet really is – a healthy, scientifically proven diet that includes healthy carbs, doesn’t cut out any food groups, and is being passionately supported by millions of successful dieters across the globe.”