title: [The CARMEN trial: increased intake of carbohydrates--simple or complex--and unchanged blood lipids in overweight subjects].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose was to investigate the long-term effect of ad libitum low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets with mainly simple or complex carbohydrates on body weight and blood lipids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A six-months controlled randomised multicentre trial with the participation of five European centres. A total of 398 moderately obese subjects (BMI: 30.4 +/- 2.7 kg/m2, mean +/- SD) were randomised to four groups: Control diet group with normal macronutrient intake, a low-fat/high simple carbohydrate group, a low-fat/high complex carbohydrate group and a seasonal control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After six months we found a drop in body weight of 1.7 kg (p < 0.05) in the simple and of 2.6 kg (p < 0.001) in the complex carbohydrate group compared with the control diet group. Fat mass decreased by 1.9 kg (p < 0.05) and 2.4 kg (p < 0.001) in the simple and complex carbohydrate group, respectively, compared with the control diet group. There were no significant changes or group differences in fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin, or leptin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that it is favourable to replace dietary fat by carbohydrates (simple or complex) in relation to body weight regulation. No detrimental effects were seen on blood lipids in contrast to previous contentions. Our results underline the importance of a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet in the management of obesity and the ensuing health problems.
authors.affiliation: Forskningsinstitut for Human Ernaering, Levnedsmiddelcentret, Den Kgl. Veterinaer- og Landbohøjskole, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C. ar@kvl.dk
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raben
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Astrup
authors.forename: Tatjana Hejgaard
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Vasilaras
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim Franz
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zunft
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Formiguera
authors.forename: Wilhelmine P H G
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Verboeket-van de Venne
authors.forename: Sally D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Poppitt
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seppelt
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Geraldine F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Wim H M
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Saris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids