Many dieters have found that a diet low in carbohydrates,
such as the Atkins or Protein Power diets, are the only way
they can lose weight and some people have lost an amazing
number of pounds by following this regimen. But scientists
were skeptical about how and why they worked. It was thought
that a high protein diet was dehydrating or that perhaps it
actually changed a dieter?s metabolism. A new study proves
that it's not WHAT we eat that keeps us fat, it's HOW MUCH
we eat?and we eat a lot less on a low carb diet.
Temple University School of Medicine researchers studied a
group of obese patients with type 2 diabetes who followed
the Atkins diet. Dr. Guenther Boden says, "When
carbohydrates were restricted, study subjects spontaneously
reduced their caloric intake to a level appropriate for
their height, did not compensate by eating more protein or
fat, and lost weight. We concluded that excessive overeating
had been fueled by carbohydrates."
Since almost 80% of diabetics are overweight--in fact,
losing weight often cures the disease--Boden wanted to study
these patients. He discovered they did not eat less because
they were bored with the food selection, another theory that
has been proposed about low carb diet success. Boden says,
"When we took away the carbohydrates, the patients
spontaneously reduced their daily energy consumption by
1,000 calories a day. Although they could have, they did not
compensate by eating more proteins and fats and they weren't
bored with the food choices. In fact, they loved the diet.
The carbohydrates were clearly stimulating their excessive
appetites."
All the patients stayed in the hospital while the study was
going on, to make sure they stuck to their diets. Other
studies on the results of the Atkins diet have been done
when subjects were eating at home, so they were much less
accurate. In addition to the calorie reduction and weight
loss, subjects lowered their glucose levels, as well as
their triglycerides and cholesterol.
This doesn't mean that low carb diets don't work?they're an
excellent way to cut down on calories while not feeling
hungy. But now we know why they work.
Art credit: http://www.freeimages.co.uk
If you've tried dieting but are still extremely obese, it
may be time to take the radical step of stomach stapling.
Carnie
Wilson tells all about it and
subscribers can
still listen to Anne Strieber's sparkling, laugh-filled
interview with Carnie. They both agree that their biggest
temptation is devil's food cake!
