The rating of the Atkins diet is on two levels and is based on the clinical evidence so far received for this diet from all the clinical studies so far conducted:

“Rating as a short term diet – 8.5/10”

“Rating as a long term diet – 3.5/10”

REFERENCES

1. There have been several studies that have shown the significant health benefits of this diet over the short term (clinical trials have been conducted for up to one year)
2. Until the results of the Institutes of Health, four-year randomised, large scale clinical trial are completed in 2009 and the results are revealed, this diet cannot be endorsed yet as a diet that is safe in the long term as the potential health risks, safety and benefits of this diet have not been studied over a longer period