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Low-Carbohydrate Diet Macronutrient Quality and Weight Change
Binkai Liu1, Yang Hu1, Sharan K Rai1
1Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
JAMA Network Open
|December 27, 2023
Summary
Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) quality matters for weight management. Healthy LCDs emphasizing plant-based foods and whole grains are linked to less weight gain, while unhealthy LCDs are associated with more weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Dietary Interventions
- Weight Management
Background:
- The long-term effects of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) on weight management are not fully understood.
- The influence of macronutrient sources and quality within LCDs requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze the association between variations in LCD indices and weight change in US adults.
- To differentiate the impact of various LCD compositions on long-term weight outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving over 123,000 participants from the Nurses' Health Study, NHSII, and HPFS (1986-2018).
- Assessment of five LCD indices: total (TLCD), animal-based (ALCD), vegetable-based (VLCD), healthy (HLCD), and unhealthy (ULCD).
- Analysis of 4-year changes in self-reported body weight, adjusted for lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- Higher adherence to TLCD, ALCD, and ULCD was associated with increased weight gain over 4 years.
- Conversely, higher adherence to VLCD and HLCD was associated with reduced weight gain.
- The association between HLCD and reduced weight gain was more pronounced in individuals with obesity.
Conclusions:
- The quality of macronutrients in LCDs significantly influences long-term weight change.
- LCDs prioritizing high-quality protein, fats, and carbohydrates from whole grains and plant-based sources are linked to better weight management.
- Dietary patterns within LCDs, not just carbohydrate restriction, are crucial for effective weight control.
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