Increasing protein intake from 12% to 25% increases weight loss by 8.4 lbs in six months

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Monday, May 31, 2010 7:15 am Email this article
Increasing protein intake from 12 percent to 25 percent increased weight loss by an average of 8.4 pounds in six months according to a recent study. Subjects

Subjects : 50 women and 15 men

The study involved 65 people—50 women and 15 men—who were 18- to 55-years-old.

Subjects : 25 in the high-protein group

Twenty-five were assigned to eat a high-protein, reduced-fat diet containing 25 percent protein and 30 percent fat.

Subjects : 25 in the low-protein group

Another twenty-five were assigned to eat a low-protein, reduced-fat diet containing 12 percent protein and 30 percent fat.

Subjects : 15 in the control group

And the remaining 15 people were asked not to change their diet. They acted as the control group.

 

Weight loss

Weight loss : 19.6 lbs vs 11.2 lbs

After six months, those in the high-protein group had lost an average of 19.6 pounds compared to 11.2 pounds for the low-protein group, a difference of 8.4 pounds, and no change in the control group.

 

Fat loss

Fat loss : 16.7 lbs vs 9.5 lbs

The amount of fat loss was 16.7 pounds for the high-protein group versus 9.5 pounds for the low-protein group, a difference of 7.2 pounds.

 

Large Weight Loss

Losing more than 22 lbs : 35% vs 9%

Thirty-five percent of those on the high-protein diet lost more than 22 pounds compared to only 9 percent on the low-protein diet.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion : Replacing some carbs with protein improves weight loss

“Replacement of some dietary carbohydrate by protein in an ad libitum fat-reduced diet, improves weight loss and increases the proportion of subjects achieving a clinically relevant weight loss,” the authors concluded.

REFERENCE

Skov A, Toubro S, Ronn B, Holm L, Astrup A. Randomized trial on protein vs carbohydrate in ad libitum fat reduced diet for the treatment of obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999 May, 23(5):528-36.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Arnie Astrup
Department of Human Nutrition
Centre for Advanced Food Studies
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
Rolighedsvej 30
1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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