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Carbohydrate Restriction has a More Favourable Impact on the Metabolic Syndrome than a Low Fat Diet

Volek JS et al. 
Lipids 2009; 44: 297-309

Two hypocaloric diets (approx. 1500 kcal) were compared in a randomised controlled intervention, to examine whether carbohydrate restriction improves the biological markers that define the metabolic syndrome through regulation of insulin.  Subjects with atherogenic dyslipidaemia (n=40 adults aged 18-55 years, BMI >25) were assigned to one of two diets for 12 weeks.  The diets were a carbohydrate-restricted diet (CRD: 12% CHO; 59% fat; 28% protein) and a low-fat diet (LFD: 56% CHO; 24% fat; 20% protein).  Subjects following the CRD had consistently reduced glucose (-12%) and insulin (-50%) concentrations, insulin resistance (-55%), weight loss (-10%), decreased adiposity (-14%) and more favourable triglyceride (-51%), HDL (13%) and total cholesterol/HDL ratio (-14%) responses.  These subjects also showed more favourable responses to postprandial lipaemia, the Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio and LDL particle distribution.  Furthermore, despite a threefold higher intake of saturated fat in the CRD subjects, saturated fatty acids in triglycerides and cholesteryl ester were significantly reduced.

May 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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