In U.S. News Diet Rankings, Look Closer At Atkins

DENVER, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is pleased to have the Atkins Diet™ included in the U.S. News Media Group "Best Diets" rankings. We believe, however – and  contrary to the published ratings – that the Atkins Diet has repeatedly demonstrated its effectiveness for diabetes and heart health management, as evidenced by a host of key peer-reviewed scientific studies.  Atkins also questions the validity of using the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 as criteria for evaluating the "nutritional completeness" of diets included in the U.S. News rankings.

Over 60 peer-reviewed scientific studies have supported the efficacy and safety of the Atkins Diet for both short and long term weight loss, as well as for the management of diabetes and heart disease factors.  In fact, a Consumer Reports June 2011 article comparing popular diets noted, "… clinical studies have found than an Atkins or Atkins-like diet not only doesn't increase heart-disease risk factors but also actually reduces them as much as or more than low-fat, higher-carb diets that produce equivalent weight-loss."

Published data in support of Atkins include the prominent New England Journal of Medicine (2008) study which compared low-carb, low-fat and Mediterranean diets for overall weight loss effectiveness and effects on blood lipid profiles and other health factors.  Participants on the low-carb, Atkins-type diet experienced 50% better weight loss than the low-fat group, along with a significant improvement in cholesterol.  In addition, an Annals of Internal Medicine study (2004), which assigned obese adults randomly to either a restricted carbohydrate or low-fat diet, with a one-year follow up, demonstrated that the low-carb dieters experienced greater weight loss, and of those participants with diabetes, the low-carb group had greater improvement in long-term blood sugar controls than those in the low-fat group. These are just a fraction of the studies which demonstrate the beneficial effects of the Atkins approach in terms of managing diabetes and heart health.

Furthermore, Atkins disagrees with the use of the government's Dietary Guidelines as the basis for evaluating the "nutritional completeness" of a diet in the rankings. Government dietary guidelines are based on low-fat, not low-carb, recommendations.  The bottom line is that if you use these dietary guidelines as the "Gold Standard", Atkins will inevitably rate low because it is an alternative approach to weight loss and diminishing health risk factors. Obviously the Gold Standard has failed millions of Americans who may be metabolically and genetically programmed to benefit from alternative diets such as the low-carbohydrate approach.

On Atkins, people eat a wide variety of food - including low glycemic fruits, vegetables and whole grains while avoiding those foods high in refined sugars and carbohydrates. This approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping people feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic. The diet is nutritionally sound and can be followed as a long term lifestyle.  Visit Atkins.com for more information.

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leading player in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and weight management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars, foods and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet™. Atkins' four product lines: Advantage®, Day Break™, Endulge™ and Cuisine™ appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

CONTACT: Andrea Davidoff
RF|Binder for Atkins
(212) 994-7617
[email protected]

SOURCE Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.