09.01.09
A new study shows a vegetarian version of the Atkins low-carbohydrate diet may help people lose weight and lower levels of LDL cholesterol. The traditional Atkins diet consists of low carbohydrate foods and a high intake of animal protein.
Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto conducted this study in collaboration with researchers from Solae LLC. Results, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at weight loss and heart disease risk factors of subjects who followed a diet low in carbohydrates, but high in vegetable proteins that included soy.
Forty-seven overweight men and women with elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels were given either a low carbohydrate diet where the protein came from vegetable sources, including soy, or a high carbohydrate, low-fat, lacto-ovo vegetarian diet for 4 weeks. Calorie restriction was similar for both groups. There was similar weight loss and lowered blood pressure in both groups; however, the low carbohydrate, higher protein diet group also saw significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and other heart disease risk factors like apolipoproteins, blood triglyceride levels and blood pressure.
Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto conducted this study in collaboration with researchers from Solae LLC. Results, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at weight loss and heart disease risk factors of subjects who followed a diet low in carbohydrates, but high in vegetable proteins that included soy.
Forty-seven overweight men and women with elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels were given either a low carbohydrate diet where the protein came from vegetable sources, including soy, or a high carbohydrate, low-fat, lacto-ovo vegetarian diet for 4 weeks. Calorie restriction was similar for both groups. There was similar weight loss and lowered blood pressure in both groups; however, the low carbohydrate, higher protein diet group also saw significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and other heart disease risk factors like apolipoproteins, blood triglyceride levels and blood pressure.