title: Beneficial effects of an 8-week, very low carbohydrate diet intervention on obese subjects.
abstract: Aim. To investigate the effects of weight loss during an 8-week very low carbohydrate diet (VLCD) on improvement of metabolic parameters, adipose distribution and body composition, and insulin resistance and sensitivity in Chinese obese subjects. Methods. Fifty-three healthy obese volunteers were given an 8-week VLCD. The outcomes were changes in anthropometry, body composition, metabolic profile, abdominal fat distribution, liver fat percent (LFP), and insulin resistance and sensitivity. Results. A total of 46 (86.8%) obese subjects completed the study. The VLCD caused a weight loss of -8.7 ± 0.6 kg (mean ± standard error (SE), P < 0.0001) combined with a significant improvement of metabolic profile. In both male and female, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) significantly decreased (-166.2 ± 47.6  μ mol/L, P = 0.001) and β -hydroxybutyric acid (BHA) increased (0.15 ± 0.06 mmol/L, P = 0.004) after eight weeks of VLCD intervention. The significant reductions in subcutaneous fat area (SFA), visceral fat area (VFA), and LFP were -66.5 ± 7.9 cm(2), -35.3 ± 3.9 cm(2), and -16.4 ± 2.4%, respectively (all P values P < 0.0001). HOMA IR and HOMA β significantly decreased while whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) increased (all P values P < 0.001). Conclusion. Eight weeks of VLCD was an effective intervention in obese subjects. These beneficial effects may be associated with enhanced hepatic and whole-body lipolysis and oxidation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Clinical Centre of Diabetes, Shanghai 200233, China ; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai 200233, China ; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China ; Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China ; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Yunjuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Haoyong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yuehua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaojing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Junxi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Weihui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yunfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Yuqian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Weiping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jia