Short-term carbohydrate-restricted diet for weight loss in severely obese women.
BACKGROUND
Weight loss in bariatric pre-surgery period reduces surgical complications, surgery time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. Carbohydrate-restricted diets have been used as an alternative for weight loss. We tested the efficacy of a low-calorie carbohydrate-restricted diet (RD) for short-term weight loss in women with severe obesity and evaluate its metabolic effects in relation to a conventional low-calorie diet (CD).


METHODS
The subjects received a 1,200-kcal diet with or without carbohydrate restriction for a period of 1 week in the hospital. Nineteen obesity class III women were distributed into two groups: experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 9). The following variables were assessed at the beginning and end of the study: anthropometric measurements, body composition, resting energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, and biochemical tests.


RESULTS
Compared with CD, RD led to larger weight loss (2.6 and 4.4 kg, respectively; p = 0.01) and waist circumference reduction (p < 0.01). Among the assessed biochemical indicators, only plasma and urine acetone levels were different (p < 0.01); higher values were found in the experimental group with no symptoms and other diet-related complaints. There was also a significant decrease in triglycerides and carbohydrate oxidation, as well as a significant enhancement in lipid oxidation in the RD group.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term RD was more efficient than CD regarding quick weight loss and waist circumference reduction, which may favor gastroplasty. Also, RD did not lead adverse metabolic effects.
Triffoni-Melo
Andresa de Toledo
Ade T
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Dick-de-Paula
Ingrid
I
Portari
Guilherme Vannucchi
GV
Jordao
Alceu Afonso
AA
Garcia Chiarello
Paula
P
Diez-Garcia
Rosa Wanda
RW
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000652:urine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss