Low carbs
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat. When low-carb diets like Atkins grew popular, some doctors were hesitant. People on low-carb plans relied more on protein – largely meat – for calories. Doctors wondered if this would raise cholesterol and blood pressure levels. But researchers say a look at women dieters found no jump in cholesterol or blood pressure after a year. The study supported by the National Institutes of Health was in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers say the women did lose some weight. Christopher Gardner of Stanford: "Within the Atkins group, the average woman lost 10 pounds, compared to the other three groups, where the average loss was closer to five pounds." (6 seconds) Gardner says Atkins cuts sugars, including sodas with high-fructose corn syrup, and refined carbs like white bread. And he says it seems to work a little better than the comparison diets. Learn more at www.hhs.gov. HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss. Last revised: April, 06 2007 | 
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