Merits Of Atkins Diet Questioned In Cholesterol Lawsuit

Published on: May 28, 2004

A Florida man is suing Atkins Nutritionals for $28,000, saying that a stint on the diet, while it helped him lose weight, also increased his cholesterol to the point where an artery was completely blocked and an angioplasty was required to clear it.

Remarkably, according to news reports, Jody Gorran decided to go on Atkins because he had gained eight pounds – going from 140 to 148. During the time he was on Atkins, however, his cholesterol rose from a normal 146 to an unhealthy 230, and surgery was required.

In addition to financial damages, the man also wants the Atkins company to label their products warning of the potential dangers of the diet, which favors meats, cheeses and other high-fat proteins.

"I'm seeking an injunction to prevent them from selling their products, books, or having their website without a warning, because they know one-third of the people on the diet will have what Atkins referred to as 'less favorable cholesterol,’” he said. "The whole thing is based on getting the word out. Even if the suit never gets anywhere, we'll be out there and people will start to think."

However, there may be more to this lawsuit that meets the eye. It is backed by Physicians for Responsible Medicine, which essentially is a radical pro-vegetarian organization that earlier this year released details of Dr. Robert Atkins' autopsy report, showing that he had a history of heart trouble, including congestive heart failure and high blood pressure.

Atkins Nutritionals said in a statement that it stands by the science that has "repeatedly reaffirmed the safety and health benefits of the Atkins Nutritional Approach.''

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