Low Carbohydrate Diet in Management of Obesity - A Short Review

Abstract

There is a global rise in obesity in the form of epidemic .In view of obesity epidemic low carbohydrate diets are becoming popular. These diets claim to be effective at producing weight loss despite ad libitum consumption of fatty meat, butter, and other high-fat dairy products, restricting only the intake of carbohydrates. Low-carbohydrate diets have been regarded as fad diets, but recent research questions this view. A systematic review of low-carbohydrate diets found that the weight loss achieved is associated with the duration of the diet and restriction of energy intake, but not with restr ict ion of carbohydrates. Trials had showed better weight loss on the low-carbohydrate diet after 6 months, but no difference after 12 months. The apparent paradox that ad-libitum intake of high-fat foods produces weight loss might be due to severe restriction of carbohydrate depleting glycogen stores, leading to excretion of bound water, the ketogenic nature of the diet being appetite suppressant, the high protein-content being highly satiating and reducing spontaneous food intake, or limited food choices leading to decreased energy intake. Long-term studies are needed to measure changes in nutritional status and body composition during the low-carbohydrate diet, and assess fasting and postprandial cardio vascular risk factors and adverse effects. Without that information, lowcarbohydrate diets cannot be recommended.