Question

Low carb diets are believed to have positive effects for weight loss, increased performance, management of diabetes, and even curing cancer. In the JAMA article, low carb is compared to low fat diets in a 12 month trial. Discuss the effectiveness of low carb diets in relation to:

1)  Weight changes between a healthy low-fat diet vs a healthy low-carbohydrate diet

2) Genotype pattern and baseline insulin secretion associated with the dietary effects on weight loss

3) Which diet was better for whom?

source : from article jama_Gardner_2018_oi_180008.pdf

Answer 1

In a low carb diet ,eating pattern tends to be lower in carbs and higher in protein than a typical Western diet. It usually emphasizes meats, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats.

The recommended carb intake per day generally depends on your goals and preferences. A common rubric might be something like this:

• 100–150 grams. This range is meant for weight maintenance or frequent high-intensity exercise. It gives room for plenty of fruit and even some starchy foods like potatoes.
• 50–100 grams. This range is intended for slow and steady weight loss or weight maintenance. There’s room for plenty of vegetables and fruit.
• Under 50 grams. This is geared toward fast weight loss. Eat plenty of vegetables but limit fruit intake to berries low on the glycemic index (GI).

Reducing carb intake reduces the amount of insulin circulating in the body and this works to reduce insulin resistance.