Vegetarian-Diet Advocates Bemoan Atkins Diet and Mad-Cow Scare

Mad cow, high-protein diet risks are two more reasons to avoid meat.

The Washington-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recently announced that it has received more than 200 reports of complications caused in those who follow high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. In addition, PCRM, an advocate of vegetarian diets, notes that the recent discovery of a mad-cow-disease-infected bovine in the U.S. is yet another reason to avoid eating meat.

"This catastrophe might open some eyes to the many problems with meat-heavy diets, not just mad-cow disease," states Amy Joy Lanou, PCRM nutrition director, in a Dec. 24 announcement. "As frightening as this disease is, the truth is that all animal products are risky … high-protein dieters, in particular, should realize that they are not doing themselves any favors by switching from beef to chicken."

In response to what it says are the dangers of high-protein diets, PCRM has established a registry for negative reactions to diets such as the Atkins regimen. The vegetarian advocacy group says that 244 people have registered adverse affects since PCRM issued a report in November. Since releasing the report, PCRM has been urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the adverse effects of high-fat, low-carb diets.