Weight Loss and Reduced Calorie Diets
September 22nd, 2009
Diets that reduce calories lead to weight loss, regardless of carbohydrate, protein or fat content. Many popular diets emphasize either carbohydrate, protein or fat as the best way to lose weight. However, there have been very few studies lasting more than a year that evaluate the effect on weight loss of diets with different compositions of those nutrients.
In a study led by researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center of the Louisiana State University System, a comparison of overweight participants assigned to four different diets over a two-year period showed that reducing calories achieved weight loss regardless of which of the three nutrients was emphasized. The study appears in a recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
The findings indicate that adults should focus weight loss approaches on reducing calorie intake.
The trial included 811 men and women who were randomly divided into four diet groups with different target nutrient compositions: Low-fat, average protein; low-fat, high-protein; high-fat, average protein; and high-fat, high-protein.
The diets followed heart-healthy principles, replacing saturated with unsaturated fat and were high in whole cereal grains, fruits and vegetables. Each participant received a diet prescription that encouraged a 750-calorie reduction per day; however, none were less than 1,200 total calories per day. Participants were asked to do 90 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
The results showed that, regardless of diet, weight loss and reduction in waist circumference were similar. Participants lost an average of 13 pounds at six months and maintained a 9-pound loss at two years. Weight loss primarily took place in the first 6 months; after 12 months, all groups began to slowly regain weight, a finding consistent with other diet studies.
Waistlines were reduced by an average of two inches at the end of the two-year period.
The main finding from the trial was that diets with varying emphases on carbohydrate, fat and protein levels all achieved significant weight loss and maintenance of weight loss over a two-year period.
Results indicate that as long as people follow a heart-healthy, reduced-calorie diet, there is more than one nutritional approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, acupuncture can help to control weight by reducing appetite, improving metabolism and minimizing food cravings. Acupuncture regulates and balances the endocrine and digestive systems, and can be utilized as a primary therapy or as a complementary treatment in conjunction with other weight loss therapies and programs.
For information about acupuncture for weight loss call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
Leave a Reply