Rabu, 27 Juni 2012

Can Atkins diet raise heart attack risk for women? Eating high levels of protein can increase chance by a quarter

Can Atkins diet raise heart attack risk for women? Eating high levels of protein can increase chance by a quarter

By Sophie Borland

PUBLISHED: 18:42 EST, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 02:35 EST, 27 June 2012

Unbalanced diet: Women with diets low in carbohydrate but high in protein were found to be more at risk from heart attacks

Unbalanced diet: Women with diets low in carbohydrate but high in protein were found to be more at risk from heart attacks

Women on the Atkins diet could be in danger of heart attacks and strokes later in life, claim researchers.

They found that regularly eating large amounts of protein but very little carbohydrate increases the risk by more than a quarter.

Experts are now urging women to follow a balanced diet rather than trying to cut out potatoes, bread, rice and pasta.

Researchers from Greece and Sweden carried out a 15-year study on 43,400 women aged 30 to 49.

Those whose diets were low in carbohydrate but high in protein were found to be 28 per cent more at risk from heart attacks and strokes.

But the researchers, based at the University of Athens, said the likelihood that they would fall victim was still very small.

If 10,000 women followed the Atkins diet, an extra five would be likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack compared to another 10,000 women eating normally.

Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘This study highlights the need for us to achieve balance in our diets.

'Don’t feel you have to choose between carbohydrates or protein. Eating a mixture of all food groups, rather than cutting anything out completely, will help you to stay healthy inside and out.

Full English? A diet high in protein but low in carbohydrates can play havoc with cholesterol levels, say scientists

Full English? A diet high in protein but low in carbohydrates can play havoc with cholesterol levels, say scientists

‘Try and include lean proteins and low-fat dairy, wholegrain and high fibre carbohydrates, along with lots of fruit and veg and small amounts of healthy fats.

‘Enjoying all of these in a balanced way is far better for your heart and your waistline than trying to stick to a strict diet.’

The study is published on the British Medical Journal’s website.

A typical Atkins diet plan consists of eggs and bacon for breakfast, a chicken salad for lunch and fish and broccoli for dinner.

The diet was devised by American heart specialist Robert Atkins, who died of a heart attack after hitting his head on some ice aged 72, in 2003.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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Eating too much of anything is going to contrary to a sensible diet. When will the human race stop looking for a over complicated diet to halt obesity weight-gain, when the obvious is staring us in the face? Eat a moderate varied diet not exceed recommended daily calories allowances.

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There was me thinking that being overweight was the biggest cause of strokes and heart attacks in women - but don't worry, just drink a couple of cups of coffee a day, which according to another article in the DM today will protect against both.

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Is this really news? We are being advised to eat a balanced diet that contains different food from different food groups. There is nothing particularly new about that information.

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Atkins did not die from a heart attack. He slipped on ice and banged his head. He died as a result of the head injury.

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Atkins did not die of a heart attack. He died after falling in the snow from sever he'd trauma. Lazy journalism. He had a heart attack years before his death as a result of cardio myopathy NOT a low carb diet.

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Dr Atkins died of complications as a consequence of a head injury. He slipped on ice and took a knock to the head! Of course, that doesn't really fit with the nature of this ridiculous story. I would have though that being overweight / obese would be more dangerous than eating a high protein diet. Would be useful to have more facts, DM, rather than a very poor summary of a potentially serious report.

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Atkins did NOT die of a heart attack but from a fall on ice, he died of a head injury

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I think it's ridiculous to eat mainly protein, balanced diet all the way, and who eats raw meat anyway!

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It's official...they're panicking now. Why would any healthy woman want to eat red meat every day. Once a week is fine. Of course 'Cavewoman' would go near the stuff! Get Real people if we don't want carbs because they make us sleepy, podgy and fat then leave us alone!

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High levels of protein CAN increase chance of heart attack, not DO increase chance of heart attack. Is this a scientific finding, because I can make up findings like this just about anything at the drop of a hat.

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