From: "Stephanie D. Brooks" <s1brooks@email.sjsu.edu>

Subject: Re: High protein diets: 30:40:30; J Am Coll Nutr, 1995 Aug, 14:4, 369-75

 

This study shows that regardless of carbohydrate content (40% , 55%) a

low calorie diet leads to weight loss in obese (130-200% IBW) women.

When reading studies,it is important to look at the characteristics of the

population being studied.

The group studied consisted of obese (130-200% IBW) women with & without

histories of Gestational Diabetes. The results of the study cannot be

transferred to people who are not obese (>130% IBW).

 

The reason why the Zone diet (or any diet)leads to weight loss is Calorie

restriction. If you eat less Calories than you utilize, you lose weight. If you

eat more Calories than you utilize you gain weight.

 

A high protein diet has been linked to osteoporosis, which is a concern

with the Zone diet or any relatively high protein diet. It can also be

challenging to find high protein, low fat, low carbohydrate foods.

Because of the limit of Carbs, the diet tends to be low in fiber, possibly

vitamin C & A if you are not focusing on including fruits/vegetable rich in

those vits as part of your carb allotment. Calcium is another nutrient of

concern. A high protein diet causes you to excrete Calcium. One needs to make

sure they are consuming an adequate Calcium intake. This can be challenging

because dairy, which is a good source of protein also has carbs. Other good

sources of calcium include green leafy veggies, which is a carb source as well.

 

The Zone diet is nothing new. We saw many high protein diets in the 70s

and into the 80s, how many of those people who followed the diets lost and kept

off the weight. Some interesting facts are that 75-90% of dieters regain all

of the weight lost within 1 to 3 years. In addition, about $33 million is

spent annually on weight loss products and services. This is a lot of money

on things that don't work.

One of the biggest problems with diets is they do not teach permanent lifestyle

changes. So when you stop the diet you regain weight. Many diets (especially

those which result in quick weight loss >2# / week) promote muscle and water

loss as well, which ultimately lowers your metabolic rate. Consistent

exercise (aerobic) along with strength training and a moderate Calorie diet is

the best and safest approach to weight loss.

 

Stephanie Brooks, MS, RD, CNSD

San Jose, CA

 

On Fri, 24 Jan 1997, owner-ismnt mailing list wrote:

 

> A service of the *International Society for Molecular Nutrition and Therapy*

> http://cardiorepair.uni-marburg.de/ismnt.htm

> ****************************************************************************

>

> X-Sender: vonder@netonecom.net

> Date: Fri, 24 Jan 1997 09:25:52 -0500

> To: owner-ismnt mailing list <ismnt@Mailer.Uni-Marburg.DE>

> From: vonder@netonecom.net (JERRY VONDERHARR)

> Subject: Re: High protein diets: Details on Zone Diet

>

> > I read the Zone in October and am still

> > looking for objective analyses of that plan...

> >

> > Jefferson Scher

>

>

> Jeff, I read the Zone and the most recent book and was very intriqued. I'm

> not a vegetarian but I "have tendencies" but I've put on a few pants sizes

> in the past 5 years as I've approached 40 (being a microbrewing affectionado

> hasn't helped). I the Zone concepts to work and have dropped 3 pants sizes

> and lost 20 pounds and I have alot more energy. The literature looks good

> too. There is solid literature supporting this 30:40:30 concept for

> balancing blood sugar, lowering insulin levels and promoting effective

> weightloss. Example:

>

> Title

> Randomized crossover study of 40% vs. 55% carbohydrate weight

> loss strategies in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus

> and non-diabetic women of 130-200% ideal body weight.

>

> Author

> Peterson CM; Jovanovic-Peterson L

> Address

> Sansum Medical Research Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA.

> Source

> J Am Coll Nutr, 1995 Aug, 14:4, 369-75

> Abstract

> OBJECTIVE: The optimum diet composition for weight loss in obese women

> with or without previous gestational diabetes mellitus remains to be

> determined. Weight loss may be especially important for the latter

> group in terms of preventing future gestational as well as non-insulin

> dependent diabetes mellitus. We studied 40% vs. 55% carbohydrate calorically

> restricted diets to compare weight loss and metabolic response.

>

> METHODS:

> We performed a prospective, 12-week, blinded, randomized crossover study

> of 25 obese women; 13 of whom had previous gestational diabetes. Each woman

> was allocated to a treatment regimen for 6 weeks and then "crossed over" to

> the alternative regimen for an additional 6 weeks. Calories were provided

> in the form of nutritional supplement bars except for the evening meal that

> comprised 1/3 of the caloric needs. All subjects were seen and weighed weekly.

> Metabolic variables including glucose tolerance, glycated proteins,lipids,

> and percent body fat were measured at the beginning, crossover, and end of the

> study.

>

> RESULTS: Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus were comparable to

> obese women without a history of previous gestational diabetes except that

> the former had higher maximum levels of glucose on a glucose tolerance test

> and higher fasting insulin levels consistent with greater insulin

> resistance. Weight loss was comparable for all groups during the first 6

> weeks but attenuated in all groups during the second 6 weeks of the trial

> regardless of diabetes history or treatment group allocation. Women with or

> without a previous history of gestational diabetes had higher triglycerides

> while on a 55% carbohydrate diet than while on a 40% carbohydrate diet.

>

> CONCLUSIONS: A weightloss regimen consisting of 40% carbohydrate results in

> lower triglyceride levels than those achieved with a 55% carbohydrate

> content diet in obese women. Thus, the hypocaloric diet with the higher fat

> content produced the more favorable lipid profile in all obese women.

>

>

>