Low-Carb and Mediterranean Beat Low-Fat (but dieters still obese)
In the DIRECT study, 322 middle-aged individuals (mainly men) who had an average body mass index of 31 (anything over 29 is considered obese), were randomized to one of three diets: a low-calorie low-fat diet, a low-calorie Mediterranean diet, or a low-carb diet patterned after the Atkins diet and without calorie restrictions. The study was conducted among employees of an Israeli nuclear research center, and their meals were tightly controlled, so that compliance with the assigned diets was high.
After 2 years, those on the low-fat and Mediterranean diets lost an average of 10 pounds, and those on the low-carb diet lost an average of 14 pounds. Improvements in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were seen with all 3 diets, but the improvements were greatest among the low-carb and Mediterranean dieters.
DrRich Comments:
We can reach 2 reasonable conclusions from this study.
First, the decades-long bias within revered medical organizations such as the American Heart Association in favor of low-fat diets and against alternative diets (especially low-carb diets) is being systematically worn away by hard data from head-to-head trials like this one. While we wait for the bureaucratic wheels to engage in their ponderous rotation, to the point where such organizations will formally recognize the legitimacy (if not the superiority) of non-low-fat diets not only for weight loss, but also for improvement of cardiac risk factors, there seems now to be plenty of evidence to say: Low-carb and Mediterranean diets are just fine. Go ahead and try them.
Second, if you are obese, to achieve really substantial weight loss it looks like diet alone - no matter what type - will likely not do the trick. You're going to have to work on the other end of the weight loss equation also, and increase the number of calories you're burning. There's no way to avoid the conclusion that it's going to take exercise as well.
Sorry.
Read more about low fat vs. low carb diets here.
Sources:
Shai I, Schwarzfuchs D, Henkin Y, et al. Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or low-fat diet. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:229-41.
Comments
Obesity per se is not the problem. The real issue is the health and mortality consequences which follow from obesity. In November Harvard Medical School studied obese mice. The team of researchers gave one group biotivia transmax resveratrol extract, a commercial version of a compound found in red wine, and the other a placebo. The group receiving transmax resveratrol lived 31% longer and did not contract the normal diseases of aging such as diabetes, tumors, and cardiac diseases. Their endurance and energy levels also improved dramatically. Resveratrol is clearly no substitute for a good diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle but it may augment all of these and extend the potential for ultimate life span. We need to first concentrate of the prevention of the disease of obesity and treat the excess weight as a separate issue. This approach will result in a reduction of suffering and huge health care cost savings.
Arnold Newcomb is right. Having said
that,i must point out that blanket classifications such low or high carbs or
high fats etc is clearly unscientific/unsatisfactory.(About a decade back I had unstable angina and an MI. I have recovered using a high fibre/medium carb with plenty of steamed and lightly stirfried vegetables, a few spoons unheated cold pressed sesame and/or olive oils and 40 to 60 gms of vegetable proteins. No medications and in good
shape)
Any research which does not make clear distinctions between different types of carbohydrates or fats may is not really useful for those in need of dietary advice. Research
and advice needs to be more nuanced and sophisticated!
I am not a medical man but a retired civil servant.
regards
varadachary