For anyone who's interested, here is an article published in the March
21st edition of "Scientific Session News," a publication put out by the
American College of Cardiology, covering their recent meeting in
Orlando.  Atkins debated Ornish (is there really any debate??????) on
March 20th.  I'm trying to get my hands on an actual transcript of the
session which I'm certain would be amusing if not enlightening!!  If I'm
successful, I'll also post that when available . . .

Regards, Chuck

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Well-Known Diet Gurus Square off at ACC 2001

Two leading diet gurus debated the strengths of their programs yesterday
at ACC 2001. Accompanied by research studies to shed additional light on
the effectiveness of the diets, Robert Atkins, MD, and Dean Ornish, MD,
explained why each of them believes his diet is the best.

Dr. Atkins, of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine in New York
City, champions a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, while Dr. Ornish, of
the Preventive Medicine Research Institutes in Sausalito, Calif.,
advocates a low-fat, vegetarian approach, coupled with exercise, stress
reduction, and smoking cessation.

Dr. Atkins gained support for his diet from a study conducted at Mount
Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla. Researchers randomly assigned
45 adults to eat a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet or a more
conventional heart-healthy diet with a limited intake of saturated fats
and cholesterol. Yamil Wady Aude, MD, presented findings from his study.
After three months, those on the conventional heart-healthy diet had a
higher reduction in blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol. However, only the high-fat, low carbohydrate diet produced
a significant reduction in the number of small, dense LDL particles, he
said.

Evidence supporting Dr. Ornish’s vegetarian diet came from a study that
used fast computed tomography to image the arteries of elderly members
of the Adventist faith. Ross G.T. Walker, MD, and researchers from
Sydney Heart Image of Sydney Adventist Hospital and West Australian
Heart Research Institute in Perth found that the Adventist group— who
were vegetarians and did not smoke—had significantly lower coronary
calcium scores when compared to a matched group of elderly volunteers.

Dr. Atkins is a cardiologist whose best-selling book, New Diet
Revolution, advocates consuming nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods with
vita-nutrient supplementation. He restricts processed or refined
carbohydrates, such as those high in sugar, maintaining that diets high
in sugar and refined carbohydrates increase the body’s production of
insulin, thus more readily converting food into body fat in the form of
triglycerides.

According to Dr. Atkins, the public’s increased intake of refined
carbohydrates has created an epidemic of insulin disorders. He suggested
that his diet takes advantage of an overweight person’s stored fat as a
means for weight loss. To attain the most effective weight loss and a
drop in triglyceride levels, he said people on his diet use stored fat
vs. glucose as their primary source of fuel.

Dr. Ornish, an internist and a widely recognized researcher, developed a
health program that incorporates a low-fat vegetarian diet coupled with
four components: Participants must quit smoking, exercise regularly, use
stress-reduction strategies, and seek psychosocial support from friends
and family. He advocates consuming whole grains, beans, vegetables, and
fruits.

Dr. Ornish thinks diets high in animal fat are hazardous to one’s health
and pointed to a lack of long-term patient studies backing up Dr.
Atkins’ diet. “Dr. Atkins diet has not shown that it stops the
progression of heart disease,” said Dr. Ornish, describing how his diet
helped patients lose weight and reduce LDL cholesterol after a five-year
period.

Dr. Atkins responded that his 30 years of working with patients on this
diet was proof enough, and he raised concerns about the required level
of compliance for Dr. Atkins’ diet. It’s not relevant if Dr. Ornish’s
diet will work or not, said Dr. Atkins. “It would probably work for
people who could stand to be on it,” Dr. Atkins added.

(EDITORIAL NOTE FROM CHUCK:  It is my belief that in the paragraph
above, they meant to say that Atkins raised concerns about the required
level of compliance for Dr. Ornish's diet, not the required level of
compliance for Dr. Atkins' diet)

The debate over these and other diets is certain to continue.