'Low-carb' Atkins diet a new local trend?

By Lance Dwyer

The low-carbohydrate dieting trend sweeping the nation has officially reached Santa Clara with the addition of the Romaine Wrap to Jumpstart's menu.

But Santa Clara isn't alone.

A variety of companies throughout the nation have adjusted their production lines in order to break into the fast-growing low-carbohydrate market. Last year, the low-carbohydrate industry took in an estimated $15 billion, including costs for food, books and classes, according to Lowcarbiz.com, a Web site that publishes information on low-carbohydrate news.

Oroweat bread, Skippy peanut butter, Wishbone salad dressing and Golden Grain pasta are all examples of products now offered in low-carbohydrate versions to meet the trend. Carl's Jr., Subway and Burger King have begun offering low-carbohydrate items on their menus, as well.

At virtually any grocery store, low-carbohydrate cereal, candy bars, ice cream, brownies and bread can also be found bearing "low-carb" logos.

But that's not all. Entire stores specializing specifically in low-carbohydrate products are opening throughout California. Castus Low Carb Superstores, which recently opened a location in San Jose, has plans to set up more than a dozen stores in the Bay Area alone.

The man responsible for this phenomenon is Dr. Robert Atkins, after which the now-famous Atkins Diet is named.

How it works

The principle behind low-carbohydrate dieting is that by limiting the amount of carbohydrates (the body's preferred source of energy) consumed, the body will then resort to using fat as its main energy source, which will in turn lead to rapid weight loss.

Atkins dieters are recommended to avoid foods high in carbohydrates, which generally come from starchy foods â€" such as potatoes or bread â€" as well as anything high in sugar, like fruit or candy.

Among the foods that are allowed in the Atkins diet are meats, cheeses, eggs, and most vegetables.

The list of recommended foods for the Atkins diet includes many high-fat foods, making the new trend a source of concern for some health professionals and nutritionist.

At the beginning stages of the program, the Atkins book suggests dieters consume a total of 21 grams throughout the course of the day, the equivalent of one banana.

Eventually, a person following the program can have up to 100 grams per day.

But is it healthy?

Although the diets appear to work for some, many experts say the long-term health effects of low-carbohydrate dieting could be detrimental.

Common concerns about the diet include liver and heart damage. Biology Professor Robin Abu-Shumays said there are studies showing that excess protein consumption may have a negative effect on the liver. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine conducted one such study, focusing on the chemical effects of protein on livers over an extended period of time.

Abu-Shumays said that on a short-term basis, there also are drawbacks to keeping low levels of carbohydrates in the body, as carbohydrates serve as a more effective source of energy than fat.

"A carbohydrate-depleted individual typically cannot perform at the same level of intensity as a person who does have carbohydrates in their system," Abu-Shumays said.

Still, Abu-Shumays said there are no studies that clearly define low-carbohydrate diets as "unsafe," but she remains uncomfortable with the fact that Atkins dieters are recommended not to eat sufficient amounts of fruit.

Abu-Shumays said many fruits have vitamins and nutrients known to prevent cancer and provide health benefits. She said not having these vitamins could be unhealthy and that taking supplemental vitamins instead may not be a sufficient alternative.

"We never really know for sure exactly what nutrients are in fruits that make them beneficial, so vitamins might not be good enough," Abu-Shumays said.

Junior Jaclyn Ruiz said she has two friends who tried the diet but gave up after three days because they experienced mood swings.

"I think people don't really understand the long-term effects of this diet," Ruiz said. "As soon as they go back to eating carbohydrates again they're just going to gain all the weight back."

Excess carbohydrates stored in a person's system not worked off by exercise are eventually stored as fat. Therefore, "The Atkins Essential," states that anyone who goes off the program and returns to eating carbohydrates will likely gain any lost weight back.

According to "The Atkins Essential," a book written by the Atkins Health and Medical Services that outlines all aspects of the diet, many people who run into health problems while on the diet or who do not experience lasting results are not following the diet accurately.

Although there are numerous criticisms of all of the low-carbohydrate diets, Abu-Shumays said researchers will not be able to conclusively discuss the long-term impact of the diet until the appropriate studies are completed.

û Contact Lance Dwyer at (408) 554-4546 or ldwyer@scu.edu.