The objective of this randomized controlled trial by Canadian and US authors was to determine the effect on weight loss and LDL-C concentration of a low-carbohydrate diet high in vegetable proteins from gluten, soy, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and vegetable oils compared with a high-carbohydrate diet based on low-fat dairy and whole grain products. A total of 47 overweight hyperlipidemic men and women consumed either (1) a low-carbohydrate (26% of total calories), high-vegetable protein (31% from gluten, soy, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and cereals), and vegetable oil (43%) plant-based diet or (2) a high-carbohydrate lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (58% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 25% fat) for 4 weeks each in a parallel study design. The study food was provided at 60% of calorie requirements.
They found: "Of the 47 subjects, 44 (94%) completed the study. Weight loss was similar for both diets (approximately 4.0 kg). However, reductions in LDL-C concentration and total cholesterol-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B-apolipoprotein AI ratios were greater for the low- carbohydrate compared with the high-carbohydrate diet (-8.1%, and -9.6%, respectively). Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also seen (-1.9% and -2.4%, respectively)."
The authors concluded: "A low-carbohydrate plant-based diet has lipid-lowering advantages over a high-carbohydrate, low-fat weight-loss diet in improving heart disease risk factors not seen with conventional low-fat diets with animal products."
Cholesterol and blood pressure improved more in the group that consumed a diet high in vegetable fat and low in carbohydrate content.
For the full abstract, click here.
Arch Intern Med 169(11):1046-1054, 8 June 2009 © 2009 to the American Medical Association
The Effect of a Plant-Based Low-Carbohydrate (Eco-Atkins) Diet on Body Weight and Blood Lipid Concentrations in Hyperlipidemic Subjects. David J. A. Jenkins, Julia M. W. Wong, Cyril W. C. Kendall, et al. Correspondence to: Dr. Jenkins: cyril.kendall@utoronto.ca
Category: T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional. Keywords: hyperlipidemia, diet, vegetarian, cholesterol, blood pressure, carbohydrates, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 30 June 2009
