High-Protein Low-Carbohydrate Helps Teens Lose Weight

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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New research indicates that a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be quite effective for weight loss for severely obese teenagers.

"To investigate, the researchers randomly assigned 24 severely obese teenagers to eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet and 22 matched teens to eat a low-fat diet for 13 weeks. The study subjects were 14 years old on average and were at least 175 percent above ideal weight, but were free of type 2 diabetes or other serious medical problems. They were closely supervised throughout the study."

The subjects on the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet lost 29 pounds in 13 weeks on average. Those on the low-fat diet lost 16 pounds in that time. Both groups maintained their weight loss for nine months after the study was completed.

The high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet showed no negative effect on bone mineral density, cholesterol or other measurements. Though the researchers had expected the severely obese teenagers in the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, this was not the case. Both groups had decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6303TC20100401

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.