Is it harmful to eat a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss? Or is it even HEALTHIER than the current low-fat dietary advice? A major new study published today further fuels the debate and has already made major headlines. In the study 148 people were told to eat either a low-carb diet (under 40 g of carbs per day) or a low-fat diet, for one year. The results are similar to those in previous studies. Once again, those on a low-carb diet lost significantly more weight, in this case three times more: Those who ate a low-carbohydrate diet also lost more fat mass.
What will upset people the most is that the low-carb group also got better cholesterol levels than those in the low-fat group! As usual, they got more of the good HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and an improved cholesterol profile (total/HDL). As if this wasn’t enough, the fat eaters in the low-carb group received a significantly lower risk assessment for heart disease according to the 10-year Framingham risk score! In addition, the low-carb group got significantly less inflammation in the body (measured as CRP).
Finally, conspiracy theorists don’t get any support that “the meat industry” is behind all studies showing that low-carb diets work best. This study was funded by American tax dollars (through the National Institutes of Health). None of the authors have any financial ties to the industry. Even before this study the results were nearly unanimous that a low-carb diet provides a better weight and better health markers than today’s low-fat advice:
Swedish Expert Committee: A Low-Carb Diet Most Effective for Weight Loss
After today’s study the truth becomes even clearer. It becomes even harder (and more embarrassing) for people to stick their heads in the sand. When are people with weight problems going to receive scientifically sound dietary advice from most health care professionals? Hopefully soon.
© Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, M.D. in Cholesterol, Weight loss studies
What will upset people the most is that the low-carb group also got better cholesterol levels than those in the low-fat group! As usual, they got more of the good HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and an improved cholesterol profile (total/HDL). As if this wasn’t enough, the fat eaters in the low-carb group received a significantly lower risk assessment for heart disease according to the 10-year Framingham risk score! In addition, the low-carb group got significantly less inflammation in the body (measured as CRP).
Finally, conspiracy theorists don’t get any support that “the meat industry” is behind all studies showing that low-carb diets work best. This study was funded by American tax dollars (through the National Institutes of Health). None of the authors have any financial ties to the industry. Even before this study the results were nearly unanimous that a low-carb diet provides a better weight and better health markers than today’s low-fat advice:
Swedish Expert Committee: A Low-Carb Diet Most Effective for Weight Loss
After today’s study the truth becomes even clearer. It becomes even harder (and more embarrassing) for people to stick their heads in the sand. When are people with weight problems going to receive scientifically sound dietary advice from most health care professionals? Hopefully soon.
© Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, M.D. in Cholesterol, Weight loss studies
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