Robert C. Atkins: Doctor of
Complementary
Medicine
Jacqueline A. Eberstein, R.N.
Controlled Carbohydrate Nutrition,
LLC
First Do No Harm
Complementary Medicine
A philosophy of medical practice utilizing the
best of conventional medicine combined with
lifestyle protocols, nutritional supplementation
and non-invasive alternative therapies.
For the prevention or treatment of chronic
illness.
Addressing the underlying cause rather than just
decreasing symptoms.
Avoiding the long term use of prescription meds.
On the Cutting edge
Initial Patient Evaluation
Glucose and insulin tolerance test- expanded Dr.
Atkins’ knowledge of IR, HI and the diagnosis of
RHG as common cause of symptoms, easily
treated by diet. Progression to type 2 diabetes.
Correlated symptoms during the GTT using a
symptom survey.
Lipid profile with HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and
cholesterol was routine in the mid 1970’s for
patients of Dr. Atkins.
Atkins Cardiology Work-up
Glucose/Insulin studies
Lipid profile
EKG
hs CRP
Fibrinogen
Lipoprotein a
Homocysteine
Lipoprotein subfractions
Fast CT scan
Early Health Messages
Controlling insulin and blood sugar is vital for health. Best
accomplished by controlling both quality and quantity of carbs. One
size does not fit all-personalize to carbohydrate tolerance.
Reactive hypoglycemia-not the opposite of diabetes but a precursor.
Symptom relief with carb restriction, improving quality of life and
decreasing the need for meds. Improved BS lead to better response
to stressors in life.
It’s not just about calories in –calories out. Where the calories come
from matters and effects hormones.
Natural fats including saturated fats are fine. Avoid man-made trans
fats and high omega 6.
Health Messages cont’d
Prevention of diabetes by recognizing and treating early stages of blood
sugar imbalance. Well before metabolic syndrome was described.
Medications can cause weight gain or make weight loss difficult. Control
high blood sugar with diet to avoid insulin and other meds that keep people
overweight and have damaging side effects.
Meds can have a deleterious effect on blood sugar levels as well as
interfering with vitamins and minerals.
Everyone needs a good quality (iron free) multi-vitamin/mineral.
Cautioned against the overuse of antibiotics including for ear infections in
kids.
Health Massages cont’d
Ketones are a positive sign when low carbing and are
not dangerous. Dietary ketosis is not the same as
ketoacidosis.
Can lose weight without hunger. Regular intake good
quality protein controls hunger.
Carbs can be addicting.
Relationship of carbs and high insulin levels with high
triglycerides and low HDL. Risk for CV disease.
Sugar intake can lead to heart disease.
Carb Restriction
Atkins induction for epilepsy
Multiple sclerosis- along with carb
restriction, grain removal and evaluation
for yeast and other food sensitivities.
Other autoimmune conditions respond as
well.
Hypertension
Decreased edema
Cardiac arrhythmia i.e. atrial fibrillation,etc.
Carb restriction cont’d
Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Chronic GI complaints including IBS, Crohn’s,
colitis.
Fatigue
Mood symptoms-mood swings, anxiety, panic
attacks, depression
Eliminate heartburn with carb restriction. Avoid
the chronic use of meds that have dangerous
side effects.
Migraine headaches
Skin conditions esp. psoriasis, acne.
What to Eat
Eat whole eggs-nature’s most perfect food.
Butter not margarine. Avoid partially
hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Avocado and nuts are healthy.
Partake freely of natural fats.
Whole foods diet.
Whole fruit not juice. Eat fruit with fat and
protein.
Be very careful with whole grains. Avoid refined
grains. Grains are not appropriate for many.
Supplements
A Few of the Most Important
Why take supplements?
 Cannot get all your nutritional needs met from
food alone.
Depleted nutritional potency food supply
Agribusiness
Soil is depleted by the use of inorganic fertilizer
 Decreases the nutritional value of plant life
The use of cheaper ingredients in processed food
products can cause nutrient deficiencies
 Chromium
 Essential Fatty Acids
Extended transportation of food
 The longer it travels, the more nutrients are lost
Why take supplements?
Depleted nutritional potency food
supply
Food Preparation
Every type of food prep deletes nutrients,
we bake it, boil it, microwave it, and reheat
the leftovers.
It has been estimated that 80-95 percent of
the micro nutrients originally found in
food are lost before consumption.
Why take supplements?
– Factors that cause nutrient Depletion
Alcohol Consumption
– B Vitamins
Prescription Drugs
– Various drugs for example: statins deplete CoQ10.
Smoking
– Various
Low fat diets
– Various, including essential fatty acids
High refined food diets
– Various, including Chromium
Beyond Deficiency-Optimum Health
Greater need for nutritional supplements in
today’s world
– Accelerated free radical damage/requires
increased anti-oxidant support
Pollution
Sun exposure
Pesticides and other chemical additives
Smoking
Stress
Weight-loss, Weight-gain
Address Genetic Risk Factors
Prescription medications
Basic Supplement Protocol
Minimum for all: an iron free
multivitamin/mineral/anti-oxidant formula.
EPA/DHA 1000mg minimum.
Personalized to health history, lab results,
symptoms and risk factors.
Multi-Vitamin/Mineral/Anti-oxidant Complex
Foundation of any supplement plan. There are
more than 600 enzymes in humans that use
vitamins and minerals as cofactors.
Source of iron-when needed. Iron-free to avoid
overload and increased CV risk.
Especially important for women of child-bearing
age, Vit. C (poor memory development) and folic
acid (autism, schizophrenia, etc).
Multi cont’d
For elderly (40% deficient) zinc for healing and proper
immune function.
Associated with decreased risk of MI in older women.
Less infections esp. in people with diabetes.
Decrease depressive symptoms in elderly.
B complex for mood, energy.
Magnesium-The Heart’s Most Important
Mineral
Plays a role in more than 325 enzyme reactions
in the body.
Depletion in the soil = deficiency in diet (80%).
Nerve and muscle function
Immune function
Mood regulation
Bone health
CV disease-decrease clotting and plaque
formation.
Better measurement is RBC magnesium not
serum.
Magnesium For…
Hypertension
Migraine’s
Heart rhythm
disorders
Asthma
Angina
Fibromyalgia
Diuretic use
History or risk of MI
MVP
Chronic stress
Blood sugar disorders
Pregnancy
complications
PMS esp. cramps
Chromium
Enhances action of insulin.
Plays role in metabolism of fat, protein and
carbohydrate.
Lost in processing of foods.
Improve blood lipids.
Helpful in disorders of insulin and blood sugar.
From HI and IR to DM.
Reduce cravings.
Dose vary depending upon severity of BS
issues.
Chromium For…
All blood sugar
disorders from IR
to type 2 diabetes,
Met. Syndrome.
Family history
diabetes
Obesity
PCOS
High cholesterol
Hypertension
Heart disease
EPA/DHA
Anti-inflammatory
Improve lipids esp. HDL and triglycerides.
Decreased platelet aggregation.
Proper immune functioning.
Essential for proper brain and neurological
development and functioning.
Dose should vary based on maintenance vs.
therapy.
EPA/DHA For…
Arrhythmia
Hypertension
Coronary artery
disease
Inflammatory
conditions
Diabetes
Lipid disorders
Cancer
Skin conditions
Autoimmune
disorders
IBD
Improve brain
function
PMS
Coenzyme Q 10
Essential for energy production (ATP) in every
cell.
More concentrated in tissues with high energy
needs i.e. the heart, liver, skeletal muscle and
kidneys.
Antioxidant protection from free radicals.
Enhances immune function.
Anti-ageing effects.
Coenzyme Q10 For…
Hypertension
CAD-post MI, angina
Obesity
Statin therapy
Periodontal disease
Cancer
Alzheimer’s, other
neuro conditions.
Congestive heart
failure
Cardiomyopathy
MVP
Diabetes
Dr. Robert C. and Veronica
Atkins Foundation
www.atkinsfoundation.org
Established by RCA in 1999.
Since 2004 $29 million in grants.
Project Healthy Schools
Cornell Curriculum-metabolic syndrome
Endowed Chairs-Washington Univ., Columbia, Univ. of
Michigan, USC, Univ. Texas SW, Tufts.
Endowed Chair and Center of Excellence, Univ. of Calif.
at Berkeley: Center for Weight and Health.
Endowed Chair and Center of Excellence BarnesJewish, Washington Univ. Center for Weight and Health
Research Funded
Eric Westman,M.D.-wt loss, diabetes
Eric Kosoff,M.D.-intractable epilepsy
Sam Gandy,M.D.-Alzheimer’s
Eugene Fine,M.D.-low carb and cancer
Stephen Sondike, M.D.-teens, low carb and DM
Jeff Volek, PhD., R.D.-low carb, endo.dys and inflammation
Christopher Gardner, Ph.D- 4 diet study
Stephen Freedland, M.D.-low carb and prostate cancer
Iris Shai, Ph.D,R.D.-low carb, weight loss and effects on carotid
plaque
Ronald Krauss, M.D.-fatty acids and CVD
Research Coalition
Established 2006 to study metabolism, nutrition,
obesity, type 2 DM.
Members: Dr. Andrew Greenberg-Tufts,
Drs. Jeffrey Horowitz and Charles Burant-Univ.
Michigan Med. School.
Dr. Jay Horton-Univ.Texas SW
Dr. Samuel Klein-Washington Univ, Med. School
Dr. Michael Goran, USC
Dr. Sharon Wardlow- Columbia Univ. Med.
Center
Thank You
www.controlcarb.com
Dr. Robert Atkins
1930-2003