(now) paleolithic diet

Since many others have pointed out what you have been doing wrong, I'll take the opportunity to share a diet that has worked wonders for me and others.
First off, there is nothing terribly wrong with Atkins or the South Beach etc--they work. But are they the most healthy? A diet should not only help one reach optimal weight, but also enhance and strengthen the immune system and help one sleep better, have more energy etc.

I've been on the paleolithic (or hunter-gatherer diet)
for almost six months. The key insight into this diet is that for the vast majority of our evolutionary history as proto-humans and homo sapiens we ate a diet rich in animal protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Eating grains began approximately 10,000 years ago. There is much evidence that many health problems can be traced to this momentus change.
As hunter-gatherers we didn't eat dairy, salt (or certainly not in the quantities humans eat now), refined sugar, fried foods and so forth. We got all our carbs from fruits and veggies. Tons of protein from meat, fish, seeds and nuts.

If one eats as our ancestors did, the benefits will be seen very quickly. I lost 12 pounds in a month and gained muscle mass. I sleep better and I haven't been sick since last year. I gave up beer, but hey,
I'm much more of a wine drinker anyway. Dinners have become easier as we grill a lot more and eat lots of salad and other veggies. If you can afford it, buy clean sources of meat (organic, free-range, hormone free etc.). Eat sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, walnuts. Eating nuts and seeds can significantly lower your risk for certain cancers such as prostate.

The problem with Atkins as I see it, is that not enough attention is paid to eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
This is the stuff that keeps one cancer free and one's plumbing working properly. How healthy can a diet be if you need to buy fiber products? (As many Atkins people do.).

Check out these links:
www.paleolithicdiet.com
www.beyondveg.com

They still had beer in the medieval era, but not low carb beer. Are you suggesting I should switch back to normal beer?

When I go hunting, I like to drink beer. So I am already doing this, and it doesn't work. Should I switch from Low Carb Amstel Light to Low Carb Bud???

If "common sense" leads one to support the insanity of Bush's Mideast policy, Nuclear Energy etc.--then-- no thanks--you can keep it.

Good question. I didn't need to lose much weight at all. I've reached my target weight and it's been easy to maintain--as long as I don't deviate from the diet.
I lost a total of twenty two pounds over a two year period that includes the paleo period. The ten pounds I lost before going on the paleo were a result of common sense diet changes such as no fried foods, smaller portions, no eating after six pm etc.I know, however, that many people lose all the weight they need to with relative ease following the paleo principles.

There is a difference between grilling and charring. Try grilling. Meat that hasn't been processed with nitrates etc. poses no risk whatsoever. As for your comments about calcium leaching due to meat intake, they are utterly false. Skeletal remains of hunter-gatherers show very high bone densities.
Calcium leaching is a disease of modern society; probably having much to do with salt intake and other additives.

Whatever works for you. I'm interested in optimal health and a high level of fitness. I feel much better now than when I used just the "common-sense" guidelines you cite.

That's good. But if you aren't eating grapes, berries, apples, citrus etc.
you are missing out on a ton of phytonutrients and anti-oxidants that destroy free-radicals and help keep you free of cancer.

READ the article linked by giselle. As Reg pointed out, one would have to consume large quantities of red meat to be at risk. Second, the mutagenic compounds are created when meat is cooked
WELL DONE. Who the hell cooks meat "well-done" anyway? No doubt you are one of the dumbasses who does. I will add another point not addressed in the article: the role of fiber in keeping the pipes clear. Eat lots of apples, flax seeds etc. A colon cleanse at least once a year is also good maintanence.
But that is probably too far-out for a fast-food eating, sedentary dwurb like yourself.

(Hey, I just coined a new word: dwurb. Definition: a no-nothing, 'burb dwelling dumbass. Perfect.)

Rather than get annoyed you should pay attention to what he has said.
Basically, none of your points hold.