MUMBAI: In a bid to add diversity to its programme line up Discovery has announced that it will air the special Atkins Fat Or Fiction on 28 September at 10 pm with a repeat on 29 September at 10 am.

The subject is the diet programme of Dr. Robert Atkins which was introduced in 1972. 20 years later it was reintroduced when he republished his best selling book. This time around it caught the attention of Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston and Renee Zellwegger. Three million UK citizens follow it. The diet flies in the face of all other programmes that came before it and which were in vogue in the 1980s.

That is because it recommends that people increase their intake of protein substances like milk, mutton, chicken and eggs and fatty stuff like cheese while substantially reducing their carbohydrate intake like bread. Over a relatively short period of time the above-mentioned stars lost over 10 kilos. Speaking on the initiative Discovery India marketing director Aditya Tripathi said, "While the Atkins diet has revolutionised weight loss concepts the world over the final word on it is not over yet.

Atkins Fat Or Fiction presents both sides of the story in a fascinating format. With lifestyles in India having changed along with the work culture Indians have become more conscious about their physical appearance. As a lifestyle brand it makes a lot of sense for us to push a show like this." The show takes a rounded non-biased approach and also shows us the impact that Atkins Diet is having on the food industry.

At a media screening this afternoon dietician Dr. Snehalata Pande who acts as a consultant to many Bollywood stars and nutritionist Dr. Jagmeet Madan dwelt on the pros and cons of the diet. Pande noted that while Dr. Atkins was genius it was a pity that he did not do many case studies to find out whether the programme has any drawbacks.

She noted that people taking this diet should undergo regular blood and urine tests. Medical supervision is important. That is because with Atkins diet comes the risk of ailments like heart attack, weakened bones and kidney problems. Madan was not in favour of reducing the carbohydrate intake to such a drastic extent as the Atkins diet prescribes.