Diet rich in proteins and low carbs effective in reducing weight
POSTED November 25, 2010 - 15:57 | POSTED BY neha gupta
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on November 25, 2010 - 18:20
Experts advise eating more of low-glycemic index(GI) carbohydrates like whole-grain breads to lose weight.
Glycemic index is an indicator of the rise in blood glucose levels after the consumption of a particular food.
Low-glycemic index carbohydrates diets produce "possibly a stronger satiating effect and more balanced blood sugar regulation," Larsen hypothesized.
938 people studied
The study looked at 938 obese people with an average body-mass index (BMI) of 34.
Around 773 of the participants who had successfully completed the initial weight-loss phase were divided into 5 random groups for a period of 8 weeks.
The first group was given a low-protein diet with a high GI, the second a low protein low GI diet, the third group was administered a high protein low GI diet and the fourth a high protein high GI diet.
The fourth group was given no instructions at all.
The study revelations
An average weight loss of 24 pounds was achieved in the participants, the study claimed.
Out of all, 548 participants reported an average weight regain of 1.2 pounds.
The low-protein high-GI group ranked lowest in terms of weight loss, with an average weight gain of 3.6 pounds.
Dr. David Ludwig, the director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston said, "The nature of the diet and how that diet affects our underlying biology may have a lot to do with how likely we are to comply, to remain on the diet.
“People on the high-protein, low-GI diets appear to like this way of eating more, perhaps because they were feeling less hungry and more energetic...or just noticing that they were doing better. There's nothing that succeeds like success when it comes to weight loss."
Low-glycemic index carbohydrates include fruits and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, peanuts, low-fat yogurt, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, peas, grapefruit, legumes, whole grains, meat, eggs, milk, nuts, fructose and products low in carbohydrates.
The study has been published in the Nov. 25 issue of the 'New England Journal of Medicine.'
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