| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Original Research |
Metabolic Research Group, Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, and Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (J.W.A., E.C.K.)
Clinical Nutrition & Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, (D.J.A.J.)
Address reprint requests to: James W. Anderson, MD, B402, VA Medical Center, Medical Service 111C, 2250 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511. E-mail: jwandersmd{at}aol.com
Background: Some weight-loss diets are nutritionally sound and consistent with recommendations for healthy eating while others are "fad" diets encouraging irrational and, sometimes, unsafe practices.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare several weight loss diets and assess their potential long-term effects.
Design: Eight popular weight-loss diets were selected (Atkins, Protein Power, Sugar Busters, Zone, ADA Exchange, High-Fiber Fitness, Pritikin and Ornish) to be non-clinically analyzed by means of a computer to predict their relative benefits/potential harm. A summary description, menu plan and recommended snacks were developed for each diet. The nutrient composition of each diet was determined using computer software, and a Food Pyramid Score was calculated to compare diets. The Mensink, Hegsted and other formulae were applied to estimate coronary heart disease risk factors.
Results: Higher fat diets are higher in saturated fats and cholesterol than current dietary guidelines and their long-term use would increase serum cholesterol levels and risk for CHD. Diets restricted in sugar intake would lower serum cholesterol levels and long-term risk for CHD; however, higher carbohydrate, higher fiber, lower fat diets would have the greatest effect in decreasing serum cholesterol concentrations and risk of CHD.
Conclusions: While high fat diets may promote short-term weight loss, the potential hazards for worsening risk for progression of atherosclerosis override the short-term benefits. Individuals derive the greatest health benefits from diets low in saturated fat and high in carbohydrate and fiber; these increase sensitivity to insulin and lower risk for CHD.
Key words: diet fads, diet, weight loss, obesity, cardiovascular disease, coronary disease
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  C. Berti, P. Riso, and M. Porrini Satiating Properties of Meat-Preparations: Role of Protein Content and Energy Density J. Am. Coll. Nutr., April 1, 2008; 27(2): 244 - 252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. Strychar Diet in the management of weight loss Can. Med. Assoc. J., January 3, 2006; 174(1): 56 - 63. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Aziz, G. H. Anderson, A. Giacca, and F. Cho Hyperglycemia after protein ingestion concurrent with injection of a GLP-1 receptor agonist in rats: a possible role for dietary peptides Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2005; 289(3): R688 - R694. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. D. O'Brien, B. J. Brehm, R. J. Seeley, J. Bean, M. H. Wener, S. Daniels, and D. A. D'Alessio Diet-Induced Weight Loss Is Associated with Decreases in Plasma Serum Amyloid A and C-Reactive Protein Independent of Dietary Macronutrient Composition in Obese Subjects J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2005; 90(4): 2244 - 2249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M.-E. Piche, S. J. Weisnagel, L. Corneau, A. Nadeau, J. Bergeron, and S. Lemieux Contribution of Abdominal Visceral Obesity and Insulin Resistance to the Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Postmenopausal Women Diabetes, March 1, 2005; 54(3): 770 - 777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. L. Dansinger, J. A. Gleason, J. L. Griffith, H. P. Selker, and E. J. Schaefer Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction: A Randomized Trial JAMA, January 5, 2005; 293(1): 43 - 53. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Mozaffarian, E. B Rimm, and D. M Herrington Dietary fats, carbohydrate, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2004; 80(5): 1175 - 1184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. H. Anderson and S. E. Moore Dietary Proteins in the Regulation of Food Intake and Body Weight in Humans J. Nutr., April 1, 2004; 134(4): 974S - 979S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. S. Johnston, S. L. Tjonn, and P. D. Swan High-Protein, Low-Fat Diets Are Effective for Weight Loss and Favorably Alter Biomarkers in Healthy Adults J. Nutr., March 1, 2004; 134(3): 586 - 591. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. W. Anderson, C. W.C. Kendall, and D. J.A. Jenkins Importance of Weight Management in Type 2 Diabetes: Review with Meta-analysis of Clinical Studies J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2003; 22(5): 331 - 339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. Jenkins, C. W. Kendall, A. Marchie, A. L Jenkins, L. S. Augustin, D. S Ludwig, N. D Barnard, and J. W Anderson Type 2 diabetes and the vegetarian diet Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 610S - 616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. O. Kwiterovich Jr, E. P. G. Vining, P. Pyzik, R. Skolasky Jr, and J. M. Freeman Effect of a High-Fat Ketogenic Diet on Plasma Levels of Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Apolipoproteins in Children JAMA, August 20, 2003; 290(7): 912 - 920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. V. Axen, A. Dikeakos, and A. Sclafani High Dietary Fat Promotes Syndrome X in Nonobese Rats J. Nutr., July 1, 2003; 133(7): 2244 - 2249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. M. Anson, Z. Guo, R. de Cabo, T. Iyun, M. Rios, A. Hagepanos, D. K. Ingram, M. A. Lane, and M. P. Mattson Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake PNAS, May 13, 2003; 100(10): 6216 - 6220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. A. Fung and J. J. Frohlich Managing hypertriglyceridemia Can. Med. Assoc. J., April 1, 2003; 168(7): 832 - 832. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Liu Intake of Refined Carbohydrates and Whole Grain Foods in Relation to Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2002; 21(4): 298 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. Jenkins, C. W. Kendall, E. Vidgen, L. S. Augustin, M. van Erk, A. Geelen, T. Parker, D. Faulkner, V. Vuksan, R. G Josse, et al. High-protein diets in hyperlipidemia: effect of wheat gluten on serum lipids, uric acid, and renal function Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2001; 74(1): 57 - 63. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
