Oxford scientists sick after trying the Atkins diet
A group of Oxford scientists have subjected themselves to the controversial Atkins diet, with a number suffering ill health as a result.
The researchers found that the diet caused them to experience a fast and irregular heartbeat - a condition that can lead to heart failure in the long term.
In the most extreme cases, it took participants two months to overcome the effects.
The group of 17 researchers from the Physiology and Cardiology departments spent two weeks observing the effects of the diet, in which participants avoid carbohydrates in favour of protein rich foods such as meat, eggs and cheese.
Dr Sheuermann-Freestone, who was leading the research, stressed the provisional nature of the findings, but commented that she would "most certainly not" recommend anyone to follow the Atkins diet, despite the fact that participants did lose between two kilograms and five kilograms during the experiment.
"The weight will be lost in a most unhealthy way with lots of possible side and long-term effects. It is much better to cut down a little on the carbohydrates, a lot on the fats, and exercise in parallel."
The study was conducted in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation in the hope of better understanding how free-fatty acids, which surround the heart, actually function.
It is hoped that the results can be used in developing new treatments for diabetes and heart conditions.
Despite widespread criticsm, 'Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution', made famous by its large celebrity following, has now sold over six million copies, becoming one of the most popular fad diets of all time.
20th Jan 2005