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Recent Research
Low-Fat versus Low-Carbohydrate Weight Reduction Diets: Effects on Weight Loss, Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk A Randomised Control Trial
Bradley U, Spence M, Courtney CH, McKinley MC, Ennis CN, McCance DR, McEneny J, Bell PM, Young IS, Hunter SJ (2009) Diabetes 58: 2741-2748
Objective To compare the impact of hypocaloric diets either low in fat (20 Energy % fat: 60 E% carbohydrate) or low in carbohydrate (20 E% carbohydrate: 60 E% fat) on body weight, measures of insulin action and vascular compliance.
Design Eight week randomized, controlled intervention trial. All food supplied to ensure 500kcal/day deficit in energy intake compared to calculated requirement. Intake was tailored to individual requirements.
Setting University research centre (Northern Ireland) Participants 27 overweight/obese (mean BMI >27) healthy and weight stable male and female volunteers.
Main outcome measures Change in BMI, measures of insulin resistance (euglycaemic clamp) and insulin response to meals. Vascular compliance measured by pulse wave analysis.
Results No differences were seen between groups in any of these measures except vascular compliance. Here the low fat (high carbohydrate) diet
group showed a significant reduction in vascular stiffness (decreased augmentation index AI) compared with the low carbohydrate diet (which showed a non-significant increase in AI).
Conclusions Low carbohydrate diets may be detrimental to cardiovascular risk.
December 2009
