Atkins Diet Can Age Your Skin: How to Lose Weight Without Losing Face

The Atkins Diet has sold more copies than any other diet book in history. In fact it is one of the top 50 best-selling books of all time, according to Amazon. Recently, however, scientists at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University announced findings that may finally throw a bucket of cold water on all that steak and eggs: An Atkins-style diet increases inflammation in the body. And according to celebrity dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, inflammation is the culprit behind premature skin aging, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and age spots.

Chronic low-level inflammation has also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and a host of other illnesses. But from the beginning, experts have warned that a high fat, high protein diet would increase the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and other diseases. None of these stodgy concerns dimmed popular enthusiasm for the Atkins approach. It may be the more cosmetic consequences that finally get the attention of Atkin’s devotees. After all, who needs a diet that makes you look older?

Foods affect inflammation in very complex ways. Foods that are high in sugar, for example, tend to promote inflammation–and these foods are almost completely eliminated on the Atkins Diet. On the other hand, foods high in saturated fats, such as butter, cream, bacon, and other Atkins-friendly foods also tend to increase the body’s production of inflammatory chemicals. Foods that naturally decrease inflammation include fruits and vegetables that may be restricted on a low-carb regime.

If you are a die-hard Atkins fan, take heart. You can enjoy the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle without sacrificing your skin. But you might have to work a little harder. In addition to counting carbs, you should familiarize yourself with the IF Rating system, a system that rates foods according to their inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects. Choosing low carb foods with high IF ratings will help you avoid the aging consequences of excess inflammation.

For example, low-carb foods that are also anti-inflammatory include wild-caught salmon, herring, oysters, tuna, pork tenderloin, flank steak, Canadian bacon, olive oil, and garlic. Low-carb foods that are highly inflammatory include farm-raised salmon, veal, liver, cream, egg yolks, turkey, and (sorry!) bacon. For a more complete list of IF Ratings, see The Inflammation Free Diet Plan, which includes IF Ratings and carbohydrate grams for over 1600 foods.

Copyright, Monica Reinagel, 2006

Monica Reinagel is a nutrition researcher, author, and professionally-trained chef. Her latest book, The Inflammation Free Diet Plan: The Scientific Way to Lose Weight, Banish Pain, Prevent Disease, and Slow Aging is available at online and retail booksellers.

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