check out alt.support.diet.low-carb also.

it's true to some extent, but the ability to convert them is
limited. When you are really deprived of carbohydrates, you use up
your fat.

Yes, but to a limited extent.

Any diet that creates a calorie deficit will work. Some are just
easier than others.

Weight loss and good exercise are the most reliable means of reducing
cholesterol. This is true more or less regardless of what you eat.

Relation of dietary cholesterol to blood cholesterol levels is very
tenuous, actually. Most serum cholesterol is produced by the liver and
not taken in from food.

So. If you lose weight, and do aerobic exercise such as walking,
running, or bicycling, to the extent of one hour per day, your
cholesterol will drop regardless of your diet. The diet will have
some, but relatively small, impact on your cholesterol level.

Now if you are sedentary and obese, then diet may have a limited
effect on cholesterol, but it is small.

Similarly, intake of sugar has also been associated with higher
cholesterol levels.

Do not obsess with what you eat, as far as cholesterol goes. Stop
eating junk and exercise and lose weight and cholesterol will take
care of itself.

i
223/177/180

Forget Atkins or other low-carb.  Clinical studies independent
of the Atkins foundation (JAMA) show that it is nothing more
than a reduced calorie program that, like all other specialty
diets, people get bored with and get off of.  The thing that
really bothers me about it is that in one study 68% of the
participants developed constipation.  Obviously if you want
to avoid colo-rectal cancer, one of the top three cancer
killers, you do not want this to happen to you.

Start an exercise program first and stick with it.

High level break down:   (non technical)

Carbs convert to energy that the body uses now.
Protein is the "building block" in that it builds muscle
Fat is for long term storage.

Excess carbs and excess protein can convert to fat.  

Basically - eat in excess = fat storage.

Your body requires a certain amount of calories just to keep you going
each day.  
If your calorie intake is greater than your body needs - you gain
weight
If your calorie intake is less than your body needs, you lose weight
If your calorie intak is equal to what your body needs, you maintain
your weight.

The thing about carbs.
There's sugar and processed carbs.   These are converted to quick
energy sources.   Your body uses them very quickly, giving you a burst
of energy.  (ever hear the term "sugar high"?).   Then you crash.

The thing about those types of carbs is - they cause your blood sugar
levels to spike, then fall.   When they fall, your body then wants
another energy spike - so it causes you to "crave" more of those kinds
of foods.   This causes you to take in excess calories.

Carby foods like whole grains, legumes, etc tend to have less of an
effect on the blood sugar and do not cause those sugar high spikes.
Thus you stay fuller longer and don't have the cravings later.

Also - proteins don't have this affect on blood sugar either.  So, if
you eat proteins and low carb foods (salads and meat) then you
maintain a more steady level blood sugar.  You don't have the spikes
and crashes.   You don't have the sugar cravings.  

This helps you maintain control of your appetite.  Thus allowing you
to eat less than your body needs and losing weight.

Couple all that with EXERCISE and you cause your body to need more
calories - meaning you can create more of a deficit between calories
in vs. calories out.   Lose more weight.  

And exercise has the added benefit w/ helping sleep and helping you to
feel better all over.

The best place I ever saw for learning about the energy cycle in your body
at a cellular level is:

http://www.hussman.org/fitness/index.htm#energy

As for cholesterol, some people are more prone to accumulating dietary
cholesterol than others.  My understanding of Atkins is that it isn't
particularly bad for your cholesterol.  Just losing fat helps to improve
your cholesterol profile, in fact, so anything you do with regard to
eating less will help.

I prefer the Zone diet books to the Atkins books.  It comes down to making
good food choices, though.  Choose healthy carbs (high fiber, high
nutrient ones) and eschew ones with too many calories for their nutrient
value.  Choose health fats (seed oils and fatty fish) and avoid saturated
fats from animal sources.

Good luck,

Wendy