Dr. Atkins was overweight, had heart problems: report

[PTbyJason]

Source: Yahoo News

NEW YORK (AFP) - A medical examiner's report into the death of Dr. Robert Atkins, whose diet has catapulted fat into fashion, indicated he had a history of heart failure, a US newspaper said.

The New York medical examiner's report into Atkins's death said he had a history of heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension, the Wall Street Journal said.

Atkins weighed 258 pounds (117 kilograms) when he slipped on ice while walking to work in April of last year, the paper said.

Death was due to a "blunt impact injury of the head," according to the examiner's report, which was sent to the paper by a pro-vegetarian group, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Atkins followed his own low-carbohydrate dietary advice, leading to scrutiny of his health, the paper said.

But Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council in New York, told the paper that Atkins's medical records showed his heart problems were related to "cardiomyopathy," probably due to a virus.

"He had no record of having a heart attack," Trager was quoted as saying.

"My understanding is that he had no reported true evidence of classical angina (a pain in the chest that can indicate a blocked artery)," he added. "He did have a history of irregular heart beats."

Trager attributed some of Atkins's weight to being bloated with fluid, common in patients with his condition because a weak heart cannot pump out fluids efficiently.

In most of his life, Atkins, who was six feet (1.82 meters) tall, weighed "significantly less," Trager told the paper.

Doctors did not perform an autopsy on Atkins.

They relied instead on an external examination based on hospital information, the paper said.

Handwritten notes in the medical examiner's report said Atkins had a history of "MI" (myocardial infarction, or heart attack), "CHF" (congestive heart failure) and "HTN" (hypertension), the paper said.

Atkins Nutritionals, the company that markets the Atkins food and product information, said its lawyers were investigating how the medical report came to be released.

Atkins's widow, Veronica Atkins, released a statement on the company's Internet site, www.atkins.com, attacking the "illegal distribution" of her husband's health information.

"It has now become clear to me that if I don't speak out, unscrupulous individuals will continue to twist and pervert the truth in an attempt to destroy the reputation and great work of my late husband," she said.

"It is clear that Dr. Atkins developed a condition called cardiomyopathy approximately three years prior to his death," she said.

"Cardiomyopathy is a serious and progressive condition and was, I have been told, in Robert's case, caused by a viral infection. Though this condition significantly weakened his heart, its cause was clearly related to an infection and not his diet."

There was no evidence to suggest otherwise, she said.

"But it has become clear to me that something as simple as the truth will be perverted and manipulated by dishonest individuals who will stop at nothing and will proceed without any regard for medical ethics or the previously private medical history of Dr. Atkins in an attempt not only to discredit my husband's work but to profit from his death."

Veronica Atkins said she would do her best to put an end to "this nonsense" so that physicians can focus on a debate rooted in fact. "We will not engage in espionage, tabloid journalism, or try to shout louder than these shameless individuals, and I look forward to the day when Dr. Atkins's soul can rest in peace and I can grieve uninterrupted."

[PTbyJason]

I couldn't help but find the thought of Atkins as being "overweight" an ironic twist to the Atkins craze.

[Ammar]

I hate that Atkins crap...sorry. I feel bad because nobody should have their medical files releases to the public.

Thanks for the post PT.

[cb25]

Thanks PT. I saw that on the news this morning and had to laugh a bit...i've never wished atkins harm...but it is a sweetly ironic ending for him and his followers.

[monster.]

I couldn't help but find the thought of Atkins as being "overweight" an ironic twist to the Atkins craze.

That is sad that he died, but slipping on ice, what a way to go..haha.. I've seen success storys.. I've talked to people that have lost 80+ pounds using the atkins diet.. That is proof by itself that nothing compares to a 'correct' diet to lose weight..

[daman1]

Wow, so the guy who gave out this "diet" ends of being overweight himself? Hmm...

[Devourer]

Wow, so the guy who gave out this "diet" ends of being overweight himself? Hmm...

no. didnt you read it was just fluid retention...

[DF2003]

yea thats bs, he was seriously bloated from water. hes dr said was not related to his diet.

[DF2003]

just propaganda(is that spelled right) from jason so he can be the worlds peronal trainer. j/k

[groverman1]

One word, HYPOCRITE. **** the Adkin diet, how bout do some cardio, lift a few weights and eat sensibly. Change your lifestyle.

[Pete235]

Here is my .02 on the Atkins diet craze...for what it's worth. The diet was devised by Atkins as a quick and effective way for obese people to lose weight before surgery. It does work and it does work relativly quickly. But IMO it is not healthy and it does not represent a realistic and long term lifestyle change. The bottom line is, most North Americans are obese due to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Essentially we are lazy overeaters. Being lazy leads people to search for the path of least resistance...or the quick fix. Why WOULDN'T a lazy slob jump on this plan if they could eat greasy high fat foods and still lose weight. They have no concept of hard work and discipline when it comes to eating and training. Why bust your ass in the gym and worry about macronutrient ratios when all you have to do is battle a few carb cravings. Big businesses are jumping all over this bandwagon and to me it is akin to the multitude of exercise equipment, fat blockers and other miracle pills that are hawked on infomercials every day. Ketosis has it's place and keto diets can be used evectivly as part of a bodybuilding regime...they key phrase being "part of". I personally have no use at all for The Atkins craze, to each his own, that is just my humble opinion.

[tryingtogetbig]

my mother has been overweight for years...probably 80-100lbs overweight. After years of me pushing, nagging, and bitching at her, something finally clicked inside of her and she came to me wanting help to get into shape. She is on the Atkin's diet...very, very strict diet. In additon, which this is the improtant part, she is working out 4 days/week. The Atkins diet is not going to be her diet from now on...but simply a tool to help her get where she needs to be. She is over 50 yrs. old, but can now fast walk 5 miles in less than an hour, do 100 crunch/sit up combinations, etc. In a 4 month span, she has lost over 40 lbs. The diet has not only helped her lose siginificant weight (in combination of regular exercise of course), but has taught her to keep a food diary, monitor everything that goes into your mouth, etc. So, I guess any diet if used properly can be a very beneficial tool. I don't think Dr. Atkins ever meant for it to be the lazy way out...but that's what I mainly see people using it for.

peace,

ttgb

[Juggernaut]

I've used the Atkins diet and still do to an extent and it works for me. Granted when I started this program I needed to shed the pounds and desperation will have you trying anything you can to real a goal. As goofy as it sounds I followed the program to the letter (except I ran extemly low carbs the whole way and never bumped it up) along with cardio and weight training and my blood tests even impressed my doctor. Imho if you're like me and have to battle the bulge it will never ever end. It's not like you get to your desired weight and magicaly you can go back to old eating habits and expect to stay at that weight. Again imho if your obese (30% or higher BF) this diet is one that works...plain and simple.

As for the Doc..................do as I say and not as I do....I guess.

[Pete235]

Ttgb...you just illustreated my point perfectly bro. You said your mom was considerably overweight and needed to address that for health reasons. Luckily she has somebody like you who is knowledgable in all aspects of weight loss, diet, training, etc...to help her along and support her. You also stated that you didn't think this diet was going to be a permanent part of her lifestyle which is exactly what I was getting at. Kudo's to your mom brother and to you for helping her take those steps. I guess I was speaking in general terms. What I meant was the "majority" of Atkins dieters are doing it for the quick fix and because the allowable food list looks so appealing...it is these people that big businesses (Subway, TGIFridays) are cashing in on with their "Atkin approved" menus.

[Juggernaut]

TTGB.....That's pretty impressive........Go Momma! Bet she's felling like a million dollars...........life holds a whole new meaning when you look and fell healthy. **** that is good news......best of luck to her bro.

[Pete235]

Jugg...good for you too brother!! People like you...people on this board and people who are privy to proper training and dieting have a decided advantage over those who don't know, or those who are too preoccupied to bother trying to learn even the basics, and therefore can structure this program into a well thought out, healthy and logical plan to get into shape. My whole contention is that the Atkins "fad" targets those who are constantly seeking that one magical soloution.

[Juggernaut]

Ttgb...you just illustreated my point perfectly bro. You said your mom was considerably overweight and needed to address that for health reasons. Luckily she has somebody like you who is knowledgable in all aspects of weight loss, diet, training, etc...to help her along and support her. You also stated that you didn't think this diet was going to be a permanent part of her lifestyle which is exactly what I was getting at. Kudo's to your mom brother and to you for helping her take those steps. I guess I was speaking in general terms. What I meant was the "majority" of Atkins dieters are doing it for the quick fix and because the allowable food list looks so appealing...it is these people that big businesses (Subway, TGIFridays) are cashing in on with their "Atkin approved" menus.

Pete, bro much respect to you and please don't think I'm starting anything with you........you're one of the bros I think very highly of (glad to see you posting.....you've great input). Concerning the new deal with Big Businesses jumping on the band wagon..............I agree they are doing it for the buck and I doubt that the totals they give are 100% on the up and up but at least it's an alternative to ordering the regular meals and is a big help for those that are not as savue (I think I spelled that wrong haha) as us who live and breath weight. If you found yourself out with friends (go on the really odd chance that you were unprepared...if that would ever happen. haha) and you needed to eat something but you needed to keep the carbs down for this meal would you try something like one of their low carb meals if they offered it?

[Juggernaut]

Jugg...good for you too brother!! People like you...people on this board and people who are privy to proper training and dieting have a decided advantage over those who don't know, or those who are too preoccupied to bother trying to learn even the basics, and therefore can structure this program into a well thought out, healthy and logical plan to get into shape. My whole contention is that the Atkins "fad" targets those who are constantly seeking that one magical soloution.

Big UP to you bro.....thanks for the incouragement. And yes I very much agree with your point that the companies are hooking the less knowleged population to keep profits up. but I think the ones they are getting to buy their products are the ones that haven't studied or researched what they "should" be doing and think it's low carb so it's all good. It's these same people who try the diet, or any diet for that matter, for a short period with no sucsses and then condem the program they were trying. Like you said brother education is key.

[Mart651]

The Adkins vanilla ice cream rocks. It's the only kind I will put on my apple pie.

[Juggernaut]

The Adkins vanilla ice cream rocks. It's the only kind I will put on my apple pie.

hahahahaha There's something seriously wrong with you mart. hahahaha

I haven't tried it yet but I might. A buddy of mine said Bryers (sp) has a low carb ice cream as well and he said it was better than the Atkins kind. I'm not a big ice cream fan..............Chocolate is my down fall......and man do I miss my Hershey's bar....dragged through peanut butter of course. hahaha

[Mart651]

hahahahaha There's something seriously wrong with you mart. hahahaha

I haven't tried it yet but I might. A buddy of mine said Bryers (sp) has a low carb ice cream as well and he said it was better than the Atkins kind. I'm not a big ice cream fan..............Chocolate is my down fall......and man do I miss my Hershey's bar....dragged through peanut butter of course. hahaha

I have to disagree. Bryars sucks compared to Atkins but on a serious point, I did the Atkins diet to loose 15 pounds before I went on my cycle. It only took two and a half weeks. Now I didn't buy any of there **** but next time I diet I probably will.

[Pete235]

Big UP to you bro.....thanks for the incouragement. And yes I very much agree with your point that the companies are hooking the less knowleged population to keep profits up. but I think the ones they are getting to buy their products are the ones that haven't studied or researched what they "should" be doing and think it's low carb so it's all good. It's these same people who try the diet, or any diet for that matter, for a short period with no sucsses and then condem the program they were trying. Like you said brother education is key.

Exactly Jugg!! And no worries bro, I never once considered that you were being stand offish or combative. That is the thing I love about this board, opinions are expressed and challenged with the utmost respect. I feel we are actually very close with our thoughts on this topic. My ego is not so fragile that I would be offended by an assertion that differed from my own, quite the contrary, if I'm wrong or misinformed I have no problem being shown different sides to the story. This game is a constant learning experience for me as it is for others.

[usualsuspect]

Here's my take: Take a fraction of the advice from Atkins, South Beach, and The Zone and your 1/2 way there to a sensible fatloss plan. Follow Atkins advice on a high protein and high fat diet. Use South Beach's advice on the amount and the kind of carbs you should be consuming. And then take Sears' "The Zone" advice on when to eat certain foods and the macro ratios required for each meal. Combine the three and you have a sensible diet plan. Now thats only half of it. The other half of course is cardio, weight-training, and putting the diet together and adding up the #'s. Overall, I think something valuable can be taken from each diet as long as it counts towards a complete fat-loss program involving diet, training, and cardio. So I guess they do deserve some credit, especially for helping to bring the fitness craze "mainstream."

[usualsuspect]

By the way good to see you back in the trenches Pete.

~US~