Atkins Trapped Me in the Bath!

[Demi]

I've just come across this little gem, and as it made me laugh so much, I thought I'd share it with the forum:

Atkins diet left me in casualty with agonising cramps

Daily Mail, UK,
24 September, 2003

A woman ended up in acccident and emergency when her body seized up only 6 days into the Aktins diet.

Sally Vickers, 27, was crippled by severe cramps in her stomach and legs while taking a bath and became trapped for 2 hours. She was rescued when her boyfried Paul Roberts, a 24-year-old agricultural technician came home and heard her cries.

Miss Vickers, from Northumberland, was taken to Alnwick Infirmary, where she was diagnosed as being dehydrated, a known complication of the Atkins diet, and put on a drip.

Her experience will frighten other followers of the diet, which has faced a deluge of negative publicity.

On Monday, the Foods Standards Agency highlighted the increased risks of cancer and heart disease from diets, such as Atkins, which faviur fat over bread and cereals.

Last month, the Government-funded Medical Research Council said followers of the diet could suffer kidney damage and bone loss. Nutrionists have also claimed that the high-protein diet creates a resistance to insulin which could trigger diabetes.

Most shocking was the case of 16-year old Rachel Huskey in Missouri, who died of heart failure after trying to lose weight.

A coroner could find no explanation for the heart problem, but a team of experts who investigated her death said that it was probably due to the way the Atkins diet upset her metabolism.

The eating plan has been tried by more than three million Britons and its success has caused a boom in sales of cheese, red meat and eggs.

Miss Vickers, a size 14, who is 5ft 5in and weighs 11st (154lbs) started the diet six weeks ago after deciding that she needed to lose a stone in 2 weeks before a friend's wedding.

Six days into the diet she woke up in pain. "It was appalling," she said. "The book had said that I might suffer a few cramps but I was in real difficulties. I started getting cramps in my legs and really bad pins and needles. That spread to my stomach. I went to get into the bath because I thought the warm water might make me feel better but after I got in my legs just seized up and I couldn't move. The pain was agonising and every time I tried to get up it hurt more, so eventually I just gave up and waited in the hope that someone would come. It was frightening. I was stuck in the bath for about 2 hours before my boyfriend rescued me. He hadn't been due to come home from work until the evening but he decided to come back for lunch on a whim. When I got to the hospital I told the doctor I had drunk lots of water but she said that the diet is de-hydratig because of the chemical reaction it causes in the body. She advised me to come straight off the diet."

Miss Vickers, an accounting firm assistant manager, was allowed to go home later the same afternoon.

"I would never do the diet again, it's just not worth it," she added. "I lost just oer half a s tone, but other people need to know how dangerous it can be. It really isn't worth the risk."

Julia Smith, a dietician with the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The Atkins diet book says that everyone must have at least 2 litres of water every day. It would surprise me if anyone managed to drink that much, but that is the absolute minimum."


:rolleyes:

To be honest, it's not a laughing matter any more - I just can't believe the amount of rubbish that is being spouted in an attempt to rubbish low carbing - and in particular, Atkins.

As as for the dietician's comments on the water ................

[Sinbad]

2 litres a day? Hell I manage that before lunch... :)

[LittleAnne]

Why O Why do they write these articles. Whilst it gets half the UK up in arms it spurs on the other half to give it a try. Certainly most people will have heard of Atkins now in the UK, whereas it was like a secret society a little over a year ago.

With over 2 million Brits trying it out, if it was so bad then these stories would be appearing everyday and with far worse consequences.

Wonder what tomorrows story will be?

[Sinbad]

ATKINS SENT FRANK BRUNO TO MENTAL HOSPITAL!!!!
Oh, and Dr A personally HID all the WMDs in Iraq!!!!!!!!


;)

[RoseTattoo]

LOL ~ Sinbad!

I've wondered why the British press is so uniquely nasty toward Atkins! I don't think there's anything quite as vicious being written in the US.

Why do you think this is the case?

[Sinbad]

Rose: Controversy sells...
Also they have nothing interesting to write about and they don't have the creativity to do their own research, so they just go by press releases.

[Quest]

The British press is notoriously more scandal mongering than the U.S. press. Also their libel laws are different and I think they can get away with more without fear of lawsuits.

[Plagiomom]

2 litres a day? Hell I manage that before lunch

I'm with ya Sinbad! I drink so much water the teeth at the back of my mouth float!

It's amazing that they would base such bad press around someone who obviously DIDN'T either fully read, or understand the book! She obviously didn't keep up with the water intake, nor does it sound like she was taking vitamins and suppliments because of the leg cramping comment.

For each bad thing that LC related that the press prints, you never hear about the thousands of good things that are happening around the world for people that are LC'ing! :nono:

Well I feel bad for her experience - but it's not going to change my mind - I'm sticking with Atkin's because his WOE is giving my life back to me and saving it at the same time! :thup:

[Demi]

For each bad thing that LC related that the press prints, you never hear about the thousands of good things that are happening around the world for people that are LC'ing!

Plagiomom, you are so right. At the moment, there is an Atkins 'scare' story more or less every day in the UK :rolleyes: but you never hear about the positive side.

Also, it amazes me time and time again that the person they are usually referring to has no idea how low carbing really works - they haven't read the book - or researched the best plan for them.

On the other hand, I have, and I know that it's the best and healthiest way for me to lose weight and regain my health and fitness :)

It also drives me mad that the media never refer to any of the other low carb diets, they only seem to want to bash Atkins:mad:

[shortstuff]

I've had some very distressing muscle cramps too - when I forget my supplements! I find that walking them out works pretty good - but I'd rather take my supplements and not have the cramps at all.

2 liters of water? Cripes, I'm on my third one already and it's only just past noon!

[gawdess]

I think its funny they keep referencing the Missouri case and trying to link it to Atkins, yet the only say she was "trying to lose weight" and not "was on Atkins"...The girl had an eating disorder.

[DebPenny]

Julia Smith, a dietician with the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The Atkins diet book says that everyone must have at least 2 litres of water every day. It would surprise me if anyone managed to drink that much, but that is the absolute minimum."

This is laughable: 2 litres is "8 cups." This is what the medical community has recommended for ages. For this "dietician" to doubt that anyone could drink that much in a day is to fly in the face of their own advice.

[Lisa N]

You know...I've never had muscle cramps from low carb. Muscle cramps from high blood sugar, you bet! (OUCH!!)
Yet another example of why it's important to read the book and follow directions (otherwise know as RTFM!).
I think it's hysterical that this dietician is criticizing drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Sheesh...some days I get that much before lunch! :rolleyes:

[rustpot]

The Daily Mail in particular is running an anti Atkins thread. It repeats and includes all previous stories to keep the "scare" going. It is pure invention.

In part it is a response to some of the other tabloids that ran an Atkins week in which they detailed the diet in enough detail that you did not need to buy the book.

What one paper endorses another will try to knock down.

In this case the Mail is supported by the mainstream nutritionists and government food agencies who are pathologicically unable to make any kind of U Turn.

It is sad when the only bad thing they can find is the "danger" of getting stuck in the bath!

[NickFender]

Miss Vickers, from Northumberland, was taken to Alnwick Infirmary, where she was diagnosed as being dehydrated, a known complication of the Atkins diet, and put on a drip.

Others might say that dehydration is a "known complication" of not drinking enough water, but why simplify things when they can make it serve their purposes?

[adkpam]

Now I can't wait for the Enquirer (here in the US) to jump on this bandwagon...

Headline will read:

Aliens Low Carbing, Now Have Energy to Invade!

[FromVA]

All laughing aside, I have noticed, as I am sure most of you have, that when a negative article or news report comes out, you can tell there has been NO research on low cal dieting and the researchers for these news bites have never bothered to read the Atikins book from cover to cover. They make glaring mistakes. Wish I knew why they focus on Dr. Atkins...his isn't the only LC plan out there, by any means. The above article is such a bunch of misinformation and downright lies...perfect for a journalism class to use as an example of really BAD writing and research.

[GEMMA70]

yesterday read in the daily mirror that a guy said atkins diet made him into a pervert as he attacked his grandma of 83......what nonsense!!!!

[Sinbad]

OMG *lol* You're kidding, right?

[GEMMA70]

why is atkind diet being hit on head by media there is other low carb diets 2

[Rheneas]

Just for you Sinbad, we jest not, read on:

ATTACKER BLAMES ATKINS DIET


16:30 - 24 September 2003

An alcoholic who threatened to kill an elderly woman during a sexual and physical attack blamed his obsession with the Atkins diet as a reason behind the frenzied assault in which he inflicted 51 injuries.

Russell Clifford (40), of Fletcher Street, Heanor, was sentenced to eight years in jail at Derby Crown Court yesterday for the "repugnant" incident which broke the feisty 83-year-old's will and ruined her independent life.

Clifford had been drinking in the run-up to the attack on July 15 but the court heard from his barrister that he had a decreased tolerance to the booze he had consumed due to the popular high protein diet.

He approached the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as she was walking to her Heanor home and invited her to look at the improvements he had made in his house.

Trusting him, she went in but, after half an hour, he became abusive, ordering her to take her clothes off and demanding sex.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said: "When she refused he subjected her to a violent sexual and physical assault."

Clifford also threatened to kill her, tried to rip her clothes off and bit her at least twice, on her fingers and inner thigh, leaving her with infections. Clumps of her hair were later found in his home.

Mr Lody said the petite woman suffered 51 separate injuries, including "multiple" punches and kicks to her face, torso, both arms and left leg. He told the court: "She was eventually able to push him off and ran out of the house. She was a very feisty lady and put up physical resistance."

Andrew Easteal, mitigating, admitted: "It was an horrific episode. His remorse, shame and unequivocal contrition are no consolation to her family nor to her."

He said Clifford had been battling alcoholism since the age of 12.

"He had become obsessed with something known as the Atkins diet, which had the effects of dehydration and decreased tolerance to alcohol," said Mr Easteal.

Clifford, who admitted indecent assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm, had previous convictions for indecent assault, violence and sending menacing messages.

The court heard that the victim had previously lived life to the full but was now frail and withdrawn and has had to move into a care home.

She constantly fears Clifford will come back and get her and even needs somebody to accompany her to the bathroom, said Mr Lody.

The woman's granddaughter also gave a statement describing how the ordeal had terrified her grandmother, who has since needed psychiatric help.

Judge John Burgess made it clear the maximum sentence for indecent assault was 10 years and Clifford would not get a consecutive one for the GBH as they were both "one crime".

But his sentence would reflect the "repugnance" people would feel, he said.

He told Clifford: "I hope you haven't ruined the last years of her life completely. The sentence I pass must reflect the utter revulsion of society for what you did."

The depths the press and idiots like him will stoop to blame someone else for their own patheticness (is there such a word?)

[GaryW]

... and my dog ate my homework

[FromVA]

Oh, My God!!! Another danger from doing Atkins. Yawn.

[Sinbad]

Yeh, I definitely won't be feeding my dog low-carb! Can't have it attacking my homework!!!!! :lol:

[Quest]

Possibly the tabloids are targeting the Atkins diet since Atkins himself died and they are less likely to be sued?

[Destinie]

I've actually had this happen to me--BUT it has nothing to do with Atkin's at all! It is a lack of electrolytes-(dehydration) I was pregnant and had the flu -so I was dehydrated. She obviously was not getting enough fluid intake-either by not drinking enough or eating way too much salt--OR BOTH!

[Yar]

A few $100,00 is peanuts [ not allowed ] to get these anti Atkins reports in the news, any loss of sales calls for drastic action.
The grain industry, medical and pharmaceutical industries are feeling the effects of this wonderful low carb woe, " we must stem this in the bud" would be there call, it will get worse as they get together and throw millions of dollars at this problem, it is there worse nightmare.
I am sure the pharmaceutical companies will come up with a vaccine, to combat this dreaded Atkins disease. LOL

Yar

[Lose2Win]

I really have to wonder how many of their readers actually believe this nonsense! It's so patently obvious that a smear campaign is being run through some of the UK press, it makes you wonder - who owns those papers who do the most Atkins bashing? Maybe somebody ought to do some research on that and then challenge the editorial department to disclose it. It might render a mortal blow their already "dubious" credibility...

[Yar]

I really have to wonder how many of their readers actually believe this nonsense!

________________________

Yes, i have thought the same for a long time, there have been post's of people with concern after these reports come out.
One that comes to mind was something along the line of , "i feel so much better on this woe, but these reports of the danger have me worried about future health problems".
The diabetic associations are the also offenders with regard to there patients, how they can continue recommending a high carb diet, is beyond belief, i just don't know how they sleep at night, they are well aware that high blood sugar/insulin is the cause of kidney disease, also the cause of all the other related problems, like loss of sight, amputations etc., in diabetics.
A change of diet would fix it, the same as the gluten free diet fixes celiacs.

Yar

[FromVA]

I really have to wonder how many of their readers actually believe this nonsense!"

Since we have a number of UK members participating, maybe they could tell us just how much credibility the Brits give to these stories in the tabloides!

[Angeline]

The diabetic associations are the also offenders with regard to there patients, how they can continue recommending a high carb diet, is beyond belief, .....A change of diet would fix it, the same as the gluten free diet fixes celiacs.

Yar

Maybe that's because they haven't found a very lucrative billion dollar product that allows celiacs to eat all the gluten they want without dying..... in which case they would be going on and on about how gluten is essential for good health.

[Yar]

Angeline,

They are, working on a supplementation for celiacs.
I think seeds are for the birds.

Yar
---------------------------------

“We think that this mode of therapy – peptidase supplementation – may offer hope in treating celiac sprue eventually, and we’re going to test this hypothesis.”

http://mednews.stanford.edu/news_releases_html/2002/sepreleases/gluten.html

Other items to note in this study:

She identified a protein fragment made up of 33 amino acids that was resistant to further digestion and whose structure was known to be toxic.

When they looked more closely at the fragment, Shan and her colleagues found that it was made up of even smaller fragments already known to induce human T-cells to attack the intestine.

[Rheneas]

What notice do I as a Brit take of all the media Atkins bashing? - I get a little cross at their disrespect for their readers' intelligence, I have a good laugh at their stupidity and then I put the paper in the bottom of the budgie's cage so that it is of some proper use. I know it's all bullshit and treat it as such. Media take note WE ARE NOT STUPID, DON'T TREAT US AS SUCH. I read now out of curiosity to see what harebrained story each one comes up with to outdo the other. Childish and pathetic. Personal opinion only, no disrespect for a journalist who takes the time to research a subject only to be told it's not controversial enough to be a story. After all where's the shock in man on diet loses weight and gets healthy?

[FromVA]

Rheneas:

Thanks for the Brit take on this. I visit the London area at least once a year and have wondered just how gullible the Mirror, etc., think their readers could possibly be...and have wondered if the press think the average Englishman/woman is so uneducated that they would swallow this stuff as gospel. Of course, we have our own "rags" so this isn't really a bash on the English press...is it?? If your budgie reads the articles you might want to get it a better quality paper. :)