With the help of a panel of health experts, U.S. News & World Report evaluated and ranked some of the best diets out there. [http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-overall-diets]. Atkins weighed in at #19 on the Best Diet list, while the government-designed DASH Diet, which emphasizes whole grains, fruits and veggies, smaller amounts of lean sources of protein, limited sodium and fat, came in at #1. But don’t let Atkins’ ranking discourage you. It really comes down to what factors were actually considered when evaluating these diets, and in this case, the government’s Dietary Guidelines were used to determine the “nutritional completeness” of the diets included in the rankings. And since these guidelines focus on low-fat recommendations versus low-carb, it’s logical that a diet like DASH would come in on top. The bottom line is that if you use the Dietary Guidelines as a Gold Standard, Atkins will inevitably rank low because it is an alternative approach to weight loss. Obviously the Gold Standard has failed millions of Americans who may be metabolically and genetically programmed to benefit from alternative diets such as the low-carbohydrate approach. This unfortunately does a disservice for those who would benefit from an Atkins-type approach.
 
As so many of you have already discovered, Atkins works. More than 60 scientific studies have shown that Atkins is an effective way of managing weight, diabetes and heart health. It’s a powerful tool for both short- and long-term weight management. Just last week, I shared even more evidence showing that a low-carb, higher-fat diet like Atkins can help you lose weight, and that the increased fat consumption does not have a negative on your heart health. The lead investigator in that study even conceded that the overemphasis on low-fat diets might have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States.
 
Also of note is that nowhere in their diet assessment criteria did they include factors associated with inflammation.  And yet, in the fall of 2009, the JUPITER study clearly defined inflammation as more important in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis than 'cholesterol' (in any of its sub-fractions').
 
Similarly, inflammation biomarkers have been linked to subsequent development of type-2 diabetes and most non-lung cancers (not to mention our next best friend, Dr. Alzheimer). 
 
A well-formulated low carbohydrate diet is inherently anti-inflammatory.  Be it due to less total carbohydrate or less fructose, less inflammation is a key factor in well-being and disease risk.
 
The lesson here is that there are many variables for evaluating the “best diet.” You need to take those into account when choosing a weight-loss plan. There is no diet that works for everyone, but Atkins could very well be the “best diet” for many.
 
 
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