How old does Dr. Atkins, author of the best selling Dr. Atkins' Age-Defying Diet Revolution look?

A decade younger than his 69 years -- even with crow's feet -- according to a Philadelphia Daily News interview, which was conducted, of course, over lunch.

The doctor says he is conducting a war against modern medicine with his high protein/low carbohydrate diet. Atkins charges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid is a "disaster," that the American Dietetic Association (ADA) merely repeats what the USDA says, and the American Heart Association approves foods such as Froot Loops and Pop Tarts that are low in fat and have high sugar contents.

At an online chat at ABC News Atkins answered questions such as "What is the best defense against the memory robbing disease of Alzheimer's?"

Improving the vascular system, Atkins replied. It "involves reversing and slowing down vascular disease by an awareness of what causes vascular disease, and it may surprise people to know that the real culprit is not saturated fat, but refined carbohydrates."

An earlier HealthSCOUT story, Beef is back, tells more about the Atkins diet.

You can see the USDA Food Pyramid and check the views of the American Dietetic Association and the American Heart Association at their sites.