Study Extols Health Benefits of Mediterranean and Low-carb Diets

Researchers have highlighted the long-lasting positive effects of the Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets with partial weight regain.

The results were published as an update to the landmark study, the workplace-based Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT), a tightly controlled 24-month dietary intervention.

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Mediterranean diet has long been considered one of the healthiest diets on the planet. This diet plan discourages the use of saturated fats and hydrogenated oils while cooking meals.

"Our follow-up subsequent data shows lasting, positive effects of Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets six years later," said Dr. Dan Schwarzfuchs from the Nuclear Research Center Negev in Dimona, Israel,

The results suggest that the lipid profile (lower cholesterol, triglycerides and arteriosclerosis) improved for the long term, regardless of partial regain.

"Data from trials comparing the effectiveness of weight-loss diets are frequently limited to the intervention period," explained BGU Prof. Iris Shai.

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A low carbohydrate diet helps achieve weight loss. It is a diet plan that restricts the carbohydrate intake.

Overall six-year weight loss was significantly lower from baseline for Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets, but not for the low-fat group.

In the four-year post-intervention, participants regained nearly six pounds. Total weight change for the entire six-year period was approximately -7 lbs. for the Mediterranean diet and -3.7 lbs. for the low-carbohydrate diet.

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The Mediterranean diet is one of the best ways of eating healthy. It offers protection from cardiovascular problems, metabolic disorders, certain cancers and other age-related degenerative diseases.

After four years post-intervention, more than two-thirds (67 percent) of the DIRECT participants had continued with their original assigned diet, 11 percent switched to another diet and 22 percent were not dieting at all.

The researchers also found that after six years, the HDL/LDL ratio remained significantly lower only in the low-carbohydrate diet. Triglyceride levels remained significantly lower in the Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets. Overall, total cholesterol levels remained persistently and significantly lower in all diet groups as compared to baseline.

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Low carb-diets alone or in conjunction with metformin may be used to treat newly diagnosed diabetes type 2 showing HbA1c values around 9 %.

In the original study, 322 moderately obese subjects were randomly assigned to one of three diets: low-fat; restricted-calorie; Mediterranean; or low-carbohydrate, non-restricted-calorie, and were provided color-labeled food per diet daily in the workplace cafeteria.

The two-year adherence rate was 85 percent. The results suggested beneficial metabolic effects to low-carb and Mediterranean diets. Moreover, the researchers found a significant diet-induced regression in the carotid vessel wall volume across all diet groups. This change was mainly dependent on diet-induced reduction of blood pressure.

"This breakthrough, even years later, continues to yield valuable information that can help every one of us make healthier diet choices," said Doron Krakow, executive vice president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

"It is another example of BGU and Israeli researchers, thanks to generous funding by the Atkins foundation, improving the quality of our lives," Krakow added.

The results were published in a peer-reviewed letter in the current New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Source-ANI