I have now been on Atkins for 5 days - and already I feel good, I don't know whether I'm imagining it ... but I feel like I have more energy ... not so sluggish ..

But I'm just a little concerned about cholesterol ... at last check mine was borderline OK ....

Becuase I am overweight and work in an office all day ... with not much chance for exercise ... I worry about the effect of the high protein levels on my heart.

I know what Atkins says - that cholesterol levels actually come down ... but now a colleague of mine has shown me an article from Time magazine ... disputing that ...

(He had great glee in showing me the article - saying I should be on a low fat diet - but they have NEVER worked for me in the past).

So who is right ?

Confused Michael.

First of all there has NEVER been a study that links heart disease to cholesterol levels, the last time that I looked at the statistics as many people with low cholesterol levels had heart disease as people with elevated cholesterol levels.

Take a look at this site to start and then buy the book.

http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm

"The idea that too much animal fat and a high cholesterol is dangerous to your heart and vessels is nothing but a myth. Here are some astonishing and frightening facts."

Then read this article which is explaining the latest and probably more realistic theory that cardio-vascular disease is the result of chronic inflamation of the cardio vascular system.
"An inexpensive blood test for a protein linked to artery disease may be better than a cholesterol test at predicting a person's risk for a heart attack or stroke, researchers are reporting today. The test, for the substance, C-reactive ... "
The article is here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/14/h...&partner=GOOGLE
In addition we know that high blood glucose levels inhibit the body's immune sytem. as well as causing havoc in many ways with the process of glycation.

So don't sweat it, you are on the right track with controling your blood sugars through the low carb approach.

There are others on the board who follow this subject with considerable interest and they may point you to further reading.

Oldsalty is right again. See this article. The biggest name in the anti-cholesterol movement knows the theory is wrong. He must think we're too dumb to understand.

Sheldon