Another Blow For Atkins Diet?

We've been posting recently about a small but detectable backlash against no-carb/very-low-carb diets. A recent study reported by Reuters just adds more fuel to the fire.

Older women who eat a relatively large amount of protein from red meat or dairy products may have an elevated risk of dying from heart disease...

The article then goes on to refer to "Atkins-style" diets.

High-protein and fatty foods are staples of Atkins-style diets that shun carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta. Though these diets have been shown to spur weight loss and dips in blood cholesterol in the short term, many experts worry that if people stick with such a menu over time, it could spell trouble for the blood vessels and heart.
These kind of studies are useful, but unfortunately it adds to the utter confusion within the general public as to what is good for you and what is not. There are also some real generalizations here - not all low or reduced carb diets are the same - but reports like these can tend to malign every kind of diet.

Generally, lean proteins are a staple of any muscle-building and/or fat loss diet. This statement must be considered also:

Exactly why protein from red meat and dairy products might boost heart risks is unclear, and it's possible, Kelemen said, that factors not captured in this study could explain the association.
In other words we can't necessarily blame these proteins for 'causing' increased heart risks.

As in most things diet-related - moderation is the key.

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