The topic of whether it is safe to be on Atkins during pregnancy or not has raised numerous debates with both pros and cons to sustain or break the cause. Well, we are to analyze more, the question lies deeper, on whether it is ok to be on Atkins in the first place.

Well, for those of you, moms-to-be, who still believe Atkins is a viable option to shed some pounds, you should consider learning as much as possible about diets and pregnancy. A generally applicable evidence is that no extreme diets are allowed or recommended during pregnancy and the recommendations tend towards moderation and balance, leaning towards fiber-rich, vitamin and calcium-rich foods. A mild version of Atkins skipping the first phase and mainly based on vegetables, fiber, fish and chicken, as well as on fruit, potatoes, and whole grains — might be appropriate during pregnancy.

Atkins diet pregnancy effects and the consequences on fetuses have been examined by means of various studies on mice. Results have been quite contradictory.

For instance, a study was published, showing that Atkins diet had unfavorable effects on fertility as well as on embrios. The study was conducted by Dr. David Gardner, scientific director of the Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Englewood. The results were that protein in diet affects the ammonium levels in the human female reproductive tract. Ammonium also harms laboratory-grown mouse embryos, causing genetic effects and retarding development. It was noticed that not only laboratory-grown embrios were harmed, but also four-day-old embryos in animals subject to a high-protein diet had fewer cell numbers and a higher rate of cell death.

The results of mice experiments cannot be literally applied to humans, as mice are more herbivorous animals than humans. For instance, Atkins dieters were not registered as having increased ammonium levels. However, some aspects can be analyzed from the perspective of human dietary intake, such as an extreme excess of protein, that may have negative influence on fertility and human embryos.

Another study, more recent, published on August 19, 2004 and conducted by a group of researchers from the University of Southampton UK, School of Medicine, highlights that mice pups that were fed low carbohydrates, high fat diets were likely to have lower liver triglyceride levels in adulthood than pups born to mice on the standard high-carb/low-fat diet. Higher amounts of proteins that aid fatty acids oxidation were also noticed.

Low triglyceride levels and a good lipid metabolism can reduce risk of developing coronary artery disease in humans.

Analyzing these facts, the resulting impression of a “reasonable human” is that, either the studies are not well enough worked upon in every aspect, or they are purposedly conducted, so as to result in a certain way. The results of this recent study sound as if after the decrease of popularity of low-carb diets some have decided to give the diet some extra-credit so as to regain, at least partly, its lost popularity and, why not, raise sales a little bit.