Effects of Commercial Weight Loss Diets on Cardiovascular Health
Citation: Comparison of the effects of four commercially available weight-loss programmes on lipid-based cardiovascular risk factors. Public Health & Nutrition. 2008 Jul 23;:1-9 Authors: Morgan L, Griffin B, Millward D, Delooy A, Fox K, Baic S, Bonham M, Wallace J, Macdonald I, Taylor M, Truby H
This study set out to compare the effects that various commercially available weight loss diets have on cardiovascular health. It focused its attention on known cardiovascular “risk factors” such as plasma lipids, plasma lipoproteins, and LDL cholesterol particle size. Larger LDL cholesterol particles in the bloodstream are associated with reduced risk of cardiac events. More importantly, a reduction in LDL cholesterol particle size has been associated with a decreased risk of heart attack.
Commercial Weight Loss Diets
Four commercially available weight loss diets were selected for the study:
- Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution
- The Slim-Fast Plan
- Weight Watchers Pure Points Program
- Rosemary Conley’s ‘Eat Yourself Slim’ Diet
According to the authors, the Atkins Diet is the prototypical low carbohydrate weight loss program, and the Slim-Fast weight loss diet involves simple calorie reduction. Both Rosemary Conley’s ‘Eat Yourself Slim’ Diet and the Weight Watchers Pure Points Program aim primarily to reduce dietary fat.
Commercial Weight Loss Diet Study Design and Results
This was a fairly large study, conducted across five universities in the UK and including 300 obese adults between the ages of 21 and 60. Participants were randomly assigned to follow one of the four commercial weight loss diets for six months.
Each of the study groups showed an equal amount of overall weight loss. Study participants had maintained an average weight loss of five to nine pounds at six months. Participants who followed each of the two low fat weight loss diets, Weight Watchers and Rosemary Conley, showed a significant reduction in overall LDL cholesterol.
The Weight Watchers dieters also showed a reduction in blood triglycerides, as did participants following the Atkins diet. Also, both of these diets were associated with a reduction in LDL particle size.
The researchers conclude that weight loss through any diet should generally be expected to improve cardiovascular health. They noted also that no negative effects were seen in groups following a low carb diet, contradicting expectations that increased fat consumption would increase cardiovascular risk factors.
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Fast Weight Loss Diet, Low Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet, Low Fat Weight Loss Diet, Weight Loss Diet Plans • July 2008