Research study shows support for use of high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to lose weight and lower cholesterol

Many dieters around the globe turn to higher protein or lower carbohydrates diets to assist with weight loss. Higher protein diets have been around for many years and have been touted to help with weight loss and high cholesterol. Many research studies have supported various benefits to include weight loss, cholesterol, and improved satiety.

One more study was released in 2019 and appears to also support high-protein diets for weight loss​[1]​. The research was conducted to investigate the effect of a 6-week low-calorie diet program which looked at the effects of high protein-low carbohydrate protein bar on weight loss, blood pressure, and blood lipid profile in 40 overweight women.

The subjects were 62 healthy overweight women who were provided a high protein-low carbohydrate protein 35 gram bar which has 154 Calories. The energy is 28.6% from protein and 38.7% from carbohydrates energy. The bars were given as part of dinner for 6 weeks. Of the 62, Forty subjects completed the whole diet program.

The researchers found that the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet Resulted in clinically significant weight loss at 6 weeks but that there were difference in the group based on compliance. All that finished the study had significant decreases in weight, BMI, fat mass, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, but it was superior in groups with higher compliance.

They bottom line: High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets can lead to significant weight loss and improvement in blood cholesterol. This result is more significant in those with higher compliance. This is study is relatively short and does not apply to long term success. I would like to see a longer study with a placebo group.

10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.6.485