Relatively high-protein or 'low-carb' energy-restricted diets for body weight loss and body weight maintenance?

Stijn Soenen, Alberto G. Bonomi, Sofie G.T. Lemmens, Jolande Scholte, Myriam A.M.A. Thijssen, Frank Van Berkum, Margriet S. Westerterp-Plantenga*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

84 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: 'Low-carb' diets have been suggested to be effective in body weight (BW) management. However, these diets are relatively high in protein as well. Objective: To unravel whether body-weight loss and weight-maintenance depends on the high-protein or the 'low-carb' component of the diet. Design: Body-weight (BW), fat mass (FM), blood- and urine-parameters of 132 participants (age=50± 12 yr; BW=107±20 kg; BMI=37±6 kg/m2; FM=47.5±11.9 kg) were compared after 3 and 12 months between four energy-restricted diets with 33% of energy requirement for the first 3 months, and 67% for the last 9 months: normal-protein normal-carbohydrate (NPNC), normal-protein low-carbohydrate (NPLC); high-protein normal-carbohydrate (HPNC), high-protein low-carbohydrate (HPLC); 24 h N-analyses confirmed daily protein intakes for the normal-protein diets of 0.7±0.1 and for the high-protein diets of 1.1±0.2 g/kg BW (pb0.01). Results: BW and FM decreased over 3 months (pb0.001): HP (-14.1±4 kg; -11.9±1.7 kg) vs. NP (-11.5± 4 kg; -9.3±0.7 kg) (pb0.001); LC (-13.5±4 kg; -11.0±1.2 kg) vs. NC (-12.3±3 kg; -10.3±1.1 kg) (ns). Diet×time interaction showed HPLC (-14.7±5 kg; -11.9±1.6 kg) vs. HPNC (-13.8±3 kg; -11.9±1.8 kg) (ns); NPLC (-12.2±4 kg; -10.0±0.8 kg) vs. NPNC (-10.7±4 kg; -8.6±0.7 kg) (ns); HPLC vs. NPLC (pb0.001); HPNC vs. NPNC (pb0.001). Decreases over 12 months (pb0.001) showed HP (-12.8±4 kg; -9.1± 0.8 kg) vs. NP (-8.9±3 kg; -7.7±0.6 kg) (pb0.001); LC (-10.6±4 kg; -8.3±0.7 kg) vs. NC (11.1±3 kg; 9.3±0.7 kg) (ns). Diet×time interaction showed HPLC (-11.6±5 kg; -8.2±0.7 kg) vs. HPNC (-14.1±4 kg; -10.0±0.9 kg) (ns); NPNC (-8.2±3 kg; -6.7±0.6 kg) vs. NPLC (-9.7±3 kg; -8.5±0.7 kg) (ns); HPLC vs. NPLC (pb0.01); HPNC vs. NPNC (pb0.01). HPNC vs. all other diets reduced diastolic blood pressure more. Relationships between changes in BW, FM, FFM or metabolic parameters and energy percentage of fat in the diet were not statistically significant. Metabolic profile and fat-free-mass were improved following weight-loss. Conclusion: Body-weight loss and weight-maintenance depends on the high-protein, but not on the 'low-carb' component of the diet, while it is unrelated to the concomitant fat-content of the diet.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)374-380
Number of pages7
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume107
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

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