Low Carb Weight Loss Diets:
Long Term Health Effects
Low Carb Diet - Long Term Effects Untested
Researchers have expressed the need for long-term studies on the effects
of low-carbohydrate weight loss diets. A review of this currently popular
regime suggests that although successful, and with no obvious short-term
adverse effects, it is not clear how a low carb diet impacts people in
middle age.
Low Carb Diet & Restricted Calories
People who go on low-carbohydrate diets typically lose weight, but restricted
caloric intake and longer diet duration are the biggest reasons why, according
to the study from Stanford University Medical Center and collaborators
at Yale University.
"Low-carbohydrate diets have been
extremely popular as of late, and the lay press has suggested they're
a safe and effective means of weight loss," said lead author Dr Dena
Bravata, social science research associate at Stanford's Center for Primary
Care and Outcomes Research. "While these diets are effective in the
short term, weight loss results from reduced calories, not carbohydrate
restriction."
Low Carb Diet Studies
Bravata and her colleagues collected literature on low-carbohydrate diets
published between 1966 and 2003. They reviewed a total of 107 diet studies,
which involved 3,268 people from around the world. The studies were small
and heterogeneous, with carbohydrate and caloric intake, diet duration
and participant characteristics varying greatly.
Low Carb Diet Studies - Under 90 Days
However all of the studies had two things in common: none had participants
with a mean age over 53 and none of the randomised and controlled studies
lasted longer than 90 days.
"Information on older adults and long-term
results are scarce at best, and this should be kept in mind when looking
at our findings," noted Bravata.
For concluding page, see Low
Carb Diets & Health 2
Source: Food Navigator.com 2003
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