Low Carbohydrate Diets vs Low Fat Diets Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Hence, low carbohydrate diets and low fat diets have been examined by researchers, to decide on their efficacy for weight loss and improved health. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to compare low carbohydrate diets with low fat diets, and to examine the weight loss and health outcomes of both types of diets. Comparison of Low Carbohydrate Diets with Low Fat Diets Overweight and obese conditions are precursors of metabolic syndrome characterised by abnormal distribution of plasma fatty acids and increased inflammation, dyslipidemia and glycemia. Forsythe, Phinney, Fernandez et al (2008) investigated the use of a low carbohydrate diet on the components of metabolic sydrome. They found that â€Å"a very low carbohydrate diet resulted in profound alterations in fatty acid composition and reduced inflammation compared to a low fat diet† (Forsythe et al, 2008, p. 65). The NHR (2011) observe that limiting carbohydrates, and not calories help to reduce liver fats more rapidly. This is supported by NHR (2010) who state that low carbohydrate diets burn more excess liver fat than low calorie diets. We will write a custom essay sample on Low Carbohydrate Diets vs Low Fat Diets or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now USA Today (2010) reiterate that low carbohydrate diets burn more fat than low calorie diets. The reason is that for people on low carbohydrate diets there is greater dependence on the oxidation of fat in the liver for energy, than for those on low calorie diets (USA Today). A study conducted by the South Western Medical Center, Dallas, found that after 2 weeks, the average weight loss experienced by the low carbohydrate dieters was 9.5 pounds, while that of the low calorie dieters was 5 pounds (USA Today, 2010). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted by Nordmann et al (2006). The researchers found that low carbohydrate diets were more useful than low fat diets in leading to weight loss after 6 months, however reduction in weight was not found after 12 months of follow-up (Nordmann et al, 2006). In relation to cardiovascular risk factors as well as changes in blood pressure, both low carbohydrate and low fat diets had similar benefits (Nordmann et al, 2006). As compared to the low carbohydrate group, the low fat group lost more low density lipoprotein cholestrol (LDL-C) (Nordmann et al, 2006). On the other hand, the low carbohydrate group experienced a more beneficial change in â€Å"high density lipoprotein cholestrol (HDL-C) and triglyceride values† (Nordmann et al, 2006, p. 292). Nordmann et al (2006) consider the research findings to be inadequate for making recommendations â€Å"for or against the use of low carbohydrate diets to induce weight loss, especially for durations longer than 6 months† (Nordmann et al, 2006, p. 292).