Robert Atkins

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Robert Coleman Atkins (born October 17, 1930 in Columbus , Ohio , † April 17, 2003 in New York ) was an American cardiologist and nutritionist . He was best known for the Atkins diet named after him .

Live and act

Atkins graduated from the University of Michigan with a medical degree in 1951 and a doctorate from Cornell Medical College in 1955 . He then specialized in cardiology and examined the applicability of herbal remedies in place of or as a supplement to pharmaceutical drugs for various diseases.

His own obesity made him look for a diet that would allow one to lose weight without going hungry. After in-depth studies of scientific literature, he presented his diet, called the Diet Revolution , in a book in 1972 that sold 15 million times. Atkins' suggestion to almost completely avoid carbohydrates when eating and to eat only proteins and fats instead sparked lively discussions among experts and is still controversial today. From the proceeds of his books he financed the Atkins Center in New York, which deals with methods of alternative medicine . He devoted himself increasingly to nutritional science and carried out carbohydrate research at great expense. Some universities have received grants and research grants. Atkins has authored or co-authored around 35 books. In 1989 he founded Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. , a food company specializing in the production of low-carb foods.

Social impact

Atkins and his followers consider the Atkins diet to be a way of life that leads to undisputed weight reduction and is also supposed to have a positive effect on the metabolism through the ketogenic diet . The Atkins diet should therefore also improve or even cure metabolic diseases .

The Atkins diet was very popular in the USA and also influenced the eating habits of many Americans: Even today, hamburgers are still offered in some places where the meat is served in a leaf of lettuce instead of a bun. The trend has now reversed, and so Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. had to file for bankruptcy on August 1, 2005 . The company was then restructured in such a way that the business area is now less focused on the area of ​​low-carbohydrate nutrition, but more on the production of convenience foods in the form of bars and beverages.

death

Atkins died in a New York City hospital on April 17, 2003 after falling on an icy sidewalk nine days earlier. The cause of death was stated to be complications as a result of surgery for his head trauma. According to a later published autopsy report, which was also reprinted in the Wall Street Journal , Atkins allegedly weighed 117 kg (258 pounds ) when he died and was 1.82 m (6 feet ) tall , making him obese. The autopsy report also includes Atkins medical history, including a myocardial infarction , heart failure, and high blood pressure . However, a hospital admission document stated that Atkins weighed only 195 pounds when he was admitted .

According to Atkins' widow Veronica, the recorded weight difference of 29 kg between admission and death can be explained by the abundant infusions during the nine days of hospitalization. The diagnosed heart failure was due to a viral infection in 2000. Atkins attending physician confirmed this information. He also stated that Atkins heart problems were unrelated to his diet.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Low-carb diet pioneer this at 72 in The Guardian on April 18, 2003
  2. ^ Rival Diet Doc Leaks Atkins Death Report - Document , The Smoking Gun, February 10, 2004
  3. ↑ Diet widow Atkins: Heiress of millions in the calorie war in Spiegel Online from February 17, 2005
  4. ^ Rival Diet Doc Leaks Atkins Death Report - Text , The Smoking Gun, February 10, 2004
  5. ↑ Atkins wasn't obese, hospital file shows , USA TODAY, February 10, 2004
  6. ↑ Defending Dr. Atkins on MSNBC February 25, 2004
personal data
SURNAME Atkins, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Atkins, Robert Coleman (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American cardiologist and nutritionist
DATE OF BIRTH 17th October 1930
PLACE OF BIRTH Columbus , Ohio
DATE OF DEATH April 17, 2003
Place of death new York