People on high-protein diet lose 21 lbs vs 13 lbs with medium-protein

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010 11:30 am Email this article
A high-protein, reduced-fat diet causes more weight loss and more belly fat loss than a moderate-protein reduced-fat diet according to the always interesting research group from Denmark which includes Arnie Astrup and S. Toubro. Subjects

Subjects: 50 overweight or obese adults

The study included 50 overweight and obese subjects, ages 19- to 55-years-old, with a body mass index (BMI) of 26 to 34.

For the first six months subjects were randomized to strictly controlled dietary intervention of either a high-protein/fat-reduced diet containing 25 percent of calories as protein and 30 percent of calories as fat, or a medium-protein/fat-reduced diet containing 15 percent of calories as protein and 30 percent of calories as fat.

 

Weight Loss

Weight Loss: 20.5 lbs versus 13 lbs

After 6 months, the high-protein group lost 20.5 pounds versus 13 pounds for the medium-protein group, a difference of 7.5 pounds.

 

Dietary Counseling

6-12 months of dietary counseling, follow-up for 2 years

Subjects were then given dietary counseling for an additional 6 to 12 months, and then followed up for an additional two years.

After one year, weight loss was 13.6 pounds in the high-protein group compared to 9.5 pounds in the medium-protein group, however, the difference in weight loss between the groups was not statistically significant.

After two years, both groups tended to maintain their one-year weight loss.

 

Belly Fat

High-protein group lost 10% more belly fat

However, the high-protein group had lost 10 percent more belly fat than the medium-protein group.

This is important because belly fat is responsible for most of the adverse effects on health associated with obesity.

 

Weight Loss of 22 Lbs or More

One-sixth of high-protein group lost more than 22 pounds

More people in the high-protein group—one-sixth of the people in that group—had also lost more than 22 pounds.

I don’t know how many in the medium-protein group lost this much.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion: High-protein diets enhance weight loss

“A fat-reduced diet high in protein seems to enhance weight loss and provide a better long-term maintenance of reduced intra-abdominal fat stores,” the authors of the study concluded.

Reference

Due A, Toubro S, Skov A, Astrup A. Effect of normal-fat diets, either medium or high in protein, on body weight in overweight subjects: a randomised 1-year trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Aug 10. Online publication.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Arne Astrup
Department of Human Nutrition
Centre for Advanced Food Studies
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• High-Protein / Low-Carb Diets

• Low Fat Diets