DR ATKINS DEATH
THE TRUTH EXPLAINED
Robert Atkins slipped on an icy New York
City sidewalk and after several days in a coma, sadly passed
away on April 17th, 2003. His popular diet has helped
millions of individuals lose weight since his first book was
published in 1972. Unfortunately, some individuals with
their own personal agendas have tried to tarnish Dr. Atkins
reputation and his legacy.
Hidden Agendas from the PCRM
One of the Atkins Diet's most intrepid adversaries is the
Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine (PCRM), the group that orchestrated
the release of the medical information about Atkins medical
condition at the time of his death. And the man behind the
Washington, D.C.-based group is Dr. Neal Barnard, a
psychiatrist originally from North Dakota who earned a place
on the animal exploitation industry's most wanted list soon
after he founded PCRM in 1985.
Based on press accounts, Dr. Richard Fleming, a
cardiologist and founder of the Fleming Heart and Health
Institute in Omaha, Neb., obtained Atkins' autopsy report
from the New York City medical examiner's office and gave the
report to PCRM. Dr. Fleming simply filed a request via a form
and sent it to the medical examiner's office. Fleming's
lawyer contends that Fleming agreed to release the report to
PCRM as long as the group used it only for research purposes.
Dr. Barnard claims that Dr. Fleming was well aware that the
report would be released to the press.
Influence of Dr. Fleming
Based on press accounts, Dr. Richard Fleming, a
cardiologist and founder of the Fleming Heart and Health
Institute in Omaha, Neb., obtained Atkins' autopsy report
from the New York City medical examiner's office and gave the
report to PCRM. Dr. Fleming simply filed a request via a form
and sent it to the medical examiner's office. Fleming's
lawyer contends that Fleming agreed to release the report to
PCRM as long as the group used it only for research purposes.
Dr. Barnard claims that Dr. Fleming was well aware that the
report would be released to the press.
Dr. Fleming was well aware of the implications of releasing
the autopsy report to the press. His intentions were to
stop the promotion of the Atkins Diet while promoting his own
diet and book. PCRM gave Atkins' medical report to the
Wall Street Journal, which published a story on Feb. 10
reporting that Atkins was clinically obese at the time of
his death even though his weight upon admission was below 200
lbs.
PCRM Rebuked
