Two small studies in the New England Journal of Medicine showed additional evidence that Atkins may not be so bad. Because the studies were small, an editorial in the same issue of the Journal notes that conclusions couldn’t be definitive (there were 132 people in one study and 63 people in the other).
In both studies, the Atkins dieters generally had better levels of “good” cholesterol and triglycerides, or fats in the blood. For example, in Foster's study, people on the Atkins diet had an 18 percent increase in HDL cholesterol — the good cholesterol — compared to a 3 percent increase for people on the conventional low-fat diets.
And Atkins eaters had a 28 percent reduction in triglycerides. The conventional dieters had no change. Experts have said the Atkins diet could be harmful, warning that the large amounts of dietary fat would lead to high blood-fat levels. There was no difference in "bad" cholesterol or blood pressure. […]
I’ll admit that I was skeptical about Atkins when I first heard about it three or four years ago. And though I’m not specifically on Atkins these days, I can’t disagree that Atkins might be suitable for some people (or, at the least, an improvement over their current eating habits).
There’s also a segment on All Things Considered (NPR) about the studies. I haven’t listened to it yet, but I look forward to their take on it.
PS I’m still looking for a ride to the airport on Saturday, if anyone would be able to help me out there.