Dr. Atkins' Age-Defying Diet Revolution

January 3, 2000
The author of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution argues here that the use of supplements and a change in diet can eliminate many health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. Most diets focus on reducing the consumption of fat rather than cutting back on sugar; according to Atkins, people should reconsider their intake of both. Along with an explanation of how the body processes chemicals, Atkins examines the negative impact of carbohydrates, explaining that their refining "is in reality the greatest unacknowledged cause of death in world history." He discusses the equally damaging impact of free radicals and offers advice on which supplements everyone should be taking, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E and lipoic acid, among others. The actual diet portion of the book is only about 70 pages and does not include a meal-by-meal plan or caloric charts, omissions serious dieters will notice. Instead, Atkins continues to promote the two key principles--everyone, regardless of their weight, must reduce the amount of carbohydrates they consume, and everyone should also eat a variety of antioxidants, primarily from vegetables, fruits and supplements. Atkins's philosophy on taking supplements and eating a range of foods is sound, though other physicians may well question the doses he recommends. Author tour.