Atkins Diet: New Research Proves its Worth
Weight-loss Results Confirmed in New Study
In one of the longest and largest studies comparing weight-loss food regimes, the Atkins Diet had the most favorable effect on lipids and on glycemic control while also improving cholesterol ratios. That means not only will individuals on this plan lose weight but will also improve their general health. It concludes that a low-carb diet has proven to work better in attempts to lose weight than the traditional low fat regimes.
Atkins Diet Study
The research was conducted by the Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT) Group and was published in the July 17, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Oftentimes studies of this kind are short lived. However, this one was conducted over a two year period with 322 moderately obese subjects. The lead author, Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, was approached by the Atkins Foundation to undertake the research however it played no part in the design of the study or reporting of the results.
Atkins Diet Comparisons
The low-carb diet set limits on carbohydrates but none for calories or fat and suggested participants choose vegetarian sources for fat and protein. The average loss comparison after two years showed that while the low-carb group loss was 10.3 pounds, the participants on the Mediterranean diet lost 10 pounds and the ones on the low-fat regime lost 6.5 pounds.
Because it contains more fat than the Mediterranean diet, it came as surprise to the researchers that the low-carb approach seemed to improve some cholesterol measures, including the ratio of the HDL, the “good” one. The ratio declined by 12 percent for those on the low-fat diet, 16 percent on the Mediterranean and 20 percent on the low-carb diet.
Previous studies have shown that an Atkins-type diet found that overweight women on the plan had slightly better blood pressure and and cholesterol results than when compared with those on the low-carb Zone diet, the low-fat Ornish diet and one that followed U.S. government guidelines.
While the American Heart Association does not recommend the Atkins Diet over a low-fat type, and notes that the Mediterranean Diet has also proven to be safe and effective, it does include a low-carb approach in its guidelines.
Before Starting the Atkins Diet
While this recent study confirms the positive results of the low-carb Atkins Diet, it is important to always consult a physician about personal medical requirements before beginning this or any other weight-loss plan.
Bibliography:
New England Journal of Medicine: Vol 359:229-241, July 17 2008
Sources:
Atkins Foundation
American Heart Association
