Abstract
Active lifestyle and qualitative and quantitative diets are the best way to lose weight. In our study we have assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of a soluble powder rich in fibers and at low glycemic index and used, with a portion of fresh fruit, as replacement meal (for a total calorie intake ranging from a minimum of about 130 kcal to a maximum of 260 kcal) in 52 overweight/obese subjects of the outpatient clinic of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) of Rome already in treatment with a low-fat low-carbohydrates qualitative diet. The study was a parallel, prospective trial of two randomized sample groups, “intervention” (26 subjects) and “control” (26 subjects). After 8 weeks, the treatment based on the replacement meal has improved the results obtained through the qualitative diet alone above all in the overweight subjects: 11/16, versus only 2/16 in the control group, became ranged within normal weight. On the contrary, the majority of obese subjects didn’t change their BMI classification suggesting that, in case of obesity, a controlled quantitative correction with weighing food portions could be a better strategy than low-calorie replacement meal.
Highlights
The majority of obese subjects didn’t change their body mass index (BMI) classification suggesting that, in case of obesity, a controlled quantitative correction with weighing food portions could be a better strategy than low-calorie replacement meal
The results of our study, conducted in patients in primary prevention who, despite following a proper low-fat-low-calorie diet, were overweight or obese and had borderline/abnormal values of the main CV risk factors, suggest that treatment based on a low-glycemic index (GI), soluble plant powder, accompanied by a portion of fresh fruit, with the aim of following the principles of a healthy diet, rich in fibers and that provides a good supply of vitamin D, even as part of a low calorie meal could be a feasible therapeutic strategy to improve the results obtained through a low-fat-low-calorie diet alone [3] [5] [6] [7]
The great majority of overweight subjects lost sufficient body weight to change their BMI classification to become ranged within normal weight (11/16, versus only 2/16 in the control group), while the majority of obese subjects didn’t change their BMI classification to enter into lower overweight levels
Summary
In Italy, just like in other industrialized countries, cardiovascular diseases (CVD). V. Roberto et al 592 are the leading cause of death among the general population, and are an increasingly onerous economic burden on the National Health Service [1]. The identification of factors that influence cardiovascular risk, which contributes to varying degrees to determining the scale of CV, is an important task of both General Practitioners and cardiovascular specialists. Numerous observational studies have shown that being overweight and in particular, obese, is a major risk factor for CVD, and for cancers [2]. The best way to lose weight is to follow a diet and lead an active lifestyle. The dietary-nutritional approach must be based on both qualitative correction (reducing fat and carbohydrate intake, especially simple carbohydrates), and quantitative correction (weighing food portions, or eating low-calorie “replacement” meals) [3]
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