The effect of a plant-based low-carbohydrate ("Eco-Atkins") diet on body weight and blood lipid concentrations in hyperlipidemic subjects.
BACKGROUND
Low-carbohydrate, high-animal protein diets, which are advocated for weight loss, may not promote the desired reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration. The effect of exchanging the animal proteins and fats for those of vegetable origin has not been tested. Our objective was to determine the effect on weight loss and LDL-C concentration of a low-carbohydrate diet high in vegetable proteins from gluten, soy, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and vegetable oils compared with a high-carbohydrate diet based on low-fat dairy and whole grain products.


METHODS
A total of 47 overweight hyperlipidemic men and women consumed either (1) a low-carbohydrate (26% of total calories), high-vegetable protein (31% from gluten, soy, nuts, fruit, vegetables, and cereals), and vegetable oil (43%) plant-based diet or (2) a high-carbohydrate lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (58% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 25% fat) for 4 weeks each in a parallel study design. The study food was provided at 60% of calorie requirements.


RESULTS
Of the 47 subjects, 44 (94%) (test, n = 22 [92%]; control, n = 22 [96%]) completed the study. Weight loss was similar for both diets (approximately 4.0 kg). However, reductions in LDL-C concentration and total cholesterol-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B-apolipoprotein AI ratios were greater for the low-carbohydrate compared with the high-carbohydrate diet (-8.1% [P = .002], -8.7% [P = .004], and -9.6% [P = .001], respectively). Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also seen (-1.9% [P = .052] and -2.4% [P = .02], respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A low-carbohydrate plant-based diet has lipid-lowering advantages over a high-carbohydrate, low-fat weight-loss diet in improving heart disease risk factors not seen with conventional low-fat diets with animal products.
Jenkins
David J A
DJ
Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, 61 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Wong
Julia M W
JM
Kendall
Cyril W C
CW
Esfahani
Amin
A
Ng
Vivian W Y
VW
Leong
Tracy C K
TC
Faulkner
Dorothea A
DA
Vidgen
Ed
E
Greaves
Kathryn A
KA
Paul
Gregory
G
Singer
William
W
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein