An article in CBC.ca News reports:

Women who followed the Atkins low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight over a year than those on three other popular diets, and their blood pressure and cholesterol levels also dropped to a greater degree, a study has found.

Other diets included in the study were the LEARN diet, the Ornish diet and the Zone weight loss plan. Good news for Atkins after they filed for bankruptcy just over a hear ago. The Diet-Blog reports on the bankruptcy:

Atkins Nutritionals is filing for Chapter 11 status. The company apparently owes more than $300m. President and chief executive Mark Rodriguez said Atkins has adjusted its structure "to accommodate a smaller business" and will promote its brands "more broadly for consumers who are concerned about heath and wellness"....

What is the atkins diet all about? Weight Loss at About.com tells us:

The core concept of The Atkins Diet is Dr. Atkins' theory that over-consumption of and hypersensitivity to carbohydrates is the root of our problem with being overweight. The principle he bases his plan on says that it is the way your body processes the carbohydrates you eat -- not how much fat you eat -- that causes you to gain weight.