Weight Management|Diet Reviews

iet and Weight Management

iet Reviews

The following review examines the advantages and disadvantages

of several popular diet plans. Most of the diets are based on

low-carbohydrate approaches. These hotly debated

low-carbohydrate diets were subject of a recent study in the

"Journal of the American Medical Association" that found more

research is needed on the safety and efficacy of such plans.

The article analyzed hundreds of published studies about

low-carbohydrate plans and found a lack of scientific evidence

for or against the diets. "It is also important to note that in most

of the studies contained in the analysis, weight loss occurred

when study participants were on diets for longer periods, and

when they ate fewer calories," according to a statement by

Robert H. Eckel, a physician and chair of the American Heart

Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Council.

Keeping that in mind, let's look at a few popular diets, and go

through some of the pros and cons, and the theory behind their

potential effects.

The Atkins Die (Robert C. Atkins, M.D.)

The Diet Plan Theory:

The Atkins diet is a high-protein, high-fat, low-carbohydrate plan.

The diet allows for unrestricted amounts of meat, cheese and eggs

while severely restricting carbohydrates, including sugar, bread,

pasta, milk, fruits and vegetables. Atkins' diet is based on the theory

that eating carbohydrates creates a production of insulin, a hormone

secreted from the pancreas, leading to increased weight gain and

hunger, which is a true physiologic response. When converting to

this approach, the plan holds that dieters will experience reduced

appetite and their bodies will use stored fat for energy versus

burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion. Burning fat for

energy will supposedly lead to weight loss.

Disadvantages:

The medical community continues to debate the potential damaging effects of

long-term, high-protein diets on kidney function, cholesterol levels, and possible

increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. The Atkins diet restricts

carbohydrates and limits the amounts of fruits, vegetables, milk and other high-fiber

foods. These foods naturally provide essential vitamin and minerals to maintain health.

Atkins diet followers may have difficulty maintaining this diet long term. The problem

is taste. The only way to really satisfy taste without carbohydrate is by increasing fat.

And this is another concern with the Atkins plan. Weight loss occurs predominately

through a process called ketosis, and a majority of it (at least initially) is fluid loss.

There have been no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet.

Advantages:

People like eating high amounts of protein foods that are often restricted on other

diets. Those who have been unsuccessful on other low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets

will often lose weight with this plan. The diet is easy to follow; no point system, calorie

counting or complicated meal plans are involved.

The Carbohydrate's Addict's Diet (Richard Heller, M.D. and Rachael Heller, M.D.)

The Diet Plan Theory:

The Carbohydrates Addict's diet is a low-carbohydrate eating plan. The diet

recommends eating low-carbohydrate meals and one "reward meal" daily. The

reward meal combines carbohydrates, protein and vegetables. It must be eaten

within an hour from start to finish. The Hellers' diet is based on the theory that

many overweight people are carbohydrate addicts; they suffer from a biological

condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. Excess insulin is produced after eating

carbohydrates, resulting in all-day food cravings and a willingness in the body to

store fat. The plan holds that converting to this low-carbohydrate plan reverses

such biological conditions, reducing appetite and body fat storage. The body will

convert to burning fat for energy versus burning glucose from carbohydrate digestion.

In general, although the finer points may differ, this can be viewed as a modified

Atkins plan.

Disadvantages:

There are no long-term randomized studies to support the theory of carbohydrate

addiction. Enjoying carbohydrate foods is not enough for an addiction diagnosis.

Also, there are no long-term randomized studies to support the safety of this diet.

Eating a low-carbohydrate diet leads to consuming larger amounts of fat and protein.

Although debated by the medical community, long-term low-carbohydrate diets are

believed to increase risk for colon cancer and osteoporosis. High-fat and high-protein

diets could cause kidney function loss, elevate cholesterol levels and increase risk

of heart disease. Following this diet long term will be a challenge for many.

Advantages:

Weight loss may occur with this diet. It provides a comprehensive list of foods to

consume. It encourages drinking plenty of water daily. It is less restrictive than the

Atkins' diet.

The Pritikin Principle (Created by Nathan Pritikin, Revised by Robert Pritikin)

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