Atkins Foundation Continues Founder's Legacy: $29 Million In Grants To-Date, Elevating Role Of Nutrition In Health

JENKINTOWN, Pa., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Robert Atkins and his wife, Veronica, founded the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation to elevate the role of nutrition in health and lifestyle.  The foundation, granting almost $29 million since 2003, is of one of the few grant-making organizations dedicated to examining the role that metabolism and nutrition play in disease and health issues. 

The Atkins Foundation has funded, in full or part, 42 research programs, eight university endowed chairs and 13 projects and awards related to its mission.  The foundation is currently considering new grant requests.

"This year marks 40 years since the publication of my husband's first book.  His clinical findings, and the way he applied them on a broader scale shifted the nutrition-in-healthcare conversation," said Veronica Atkins, co-founder and chairperson, Atkins Foundation.  "Dr. Atkins dedicated his life to helping people live better and healthier with the belief that a spectrum of individualized therapies, including nutrition, is the key to achieving personal optimum health.  The results we have seen from these 100 percent independent and innovative projects – as well as results from unaffiliated research – affirm he was a visionary.  I am so proud that through the Foundation, we are able to carry on Dr. Atkins' legacy in this meaningful and substantive way."

The Atkins Foundation has endowed chairs at the following universities:  Washington University (2004); Columbia University, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, Duke University, University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas (2005); Tufts University (2006); University of California at Berkeley (2009). It has also endowed a curriculum in metabolic disease at Weill Cornell Medical College (2009).

"We are especially excited about our Foundation's support for institutions of higher learning. The collegial working relationship between our endowed chairs holds unique promise for future discoveries and the development of medical curriculum will inspire a new generation of forward-thinking doctors," said Atkins.

The Atkins Foundation has also provided grant funding for research, including but not limited to: Ben Gurion University / Harvard School of Public Health (low carbohydrate diet); Mt. Sinai School of Medicine (Alzheimer's study); Institute for Medical Research (prostate cancer clinical trial); University of Cincinnati (cognitive agent study); New York University (community-based childhood diabetes and obesity study); University of Arizona (diet optimization for breast cancer survivors study).

"Research funded by foundations and other entities will continue to drive innovation and discoveries in the health sciences, serving as the catalyst for change for in our society," said Dr. Abby Bloch, Executive Director of Programs and Research, Atkins Foundation.  "Our foundation is committed to moving independent research and ultimately healthy living forward."

ABOUT:

The Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation was funded with a $40 million gift in 2003.  The Foundation funds independent scientific research examining the role of metabolism and nutrition in obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and other serious health concerns confronting our society today.  The Atkins Foundation is not affiliated with and operates completely independently of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. The Atkins Foundation is governed by a board of directors, led by Veronica Atkins, under the stewardship of National Philanthropic Trust (NPTrust.org).  Grant guidelines are available at AtkinsFoundation.org.

SOURCE Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Foundation