Atkins at the point on weight loss?

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, there is really nothing special about the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet promoted by Dr. Robert Atkins. It works, they say, because people eat less in general and eat fewer snacks.

The Atkins people say that severely limiting carbohydrates results in metabolic changes. With the higher metabolic rate, dieters lose weight faster than they would on a traditional diet. Further, they say carbohydrates cause increases in insulin levels that lead to hunger and weight gain.

Their program encourages dieters to eat all the meat, bacon, cheese, butter, and other high-fat foods that they want. Particularly in the early stages of the program, participants are advised not to eat fruits, vegetables, and breads including whole grain varieties.

The surprising news is that after following the diet for more than six months, Atkins dieters not only lose more weight than people on other diets, but they appear to be healthier as well. They have better blood pressure and cholesterol readings than those on a conventional diet.

All diets are about finding the most reliable way to restrict calories, say doctors at Harvard Medical School. The Atkins diet does this by reducing carbohydrate consumption. It's effective because so many nutritionally poor carbs are marketed today.

The doctors say a moderate amount of fat in the diet may aid weight loss because it makes food more satisfying and filling. People eat less at meals and eat fewer snacks.

The Harvard doctors say their version of the Atkins diet would exchange steak and bacon for fish and fresh vegetables sauteed in olive oil and whole-grain bread on the side.

Whichever plan dieters decide to follow, one thing is now clear. Protein is OK for dieters, and some fat probably is too.