In this Corner....

Low Carb vs. Low Fat: Which is better?

Turn on the TV or pick up a magazine. You cannot help but read or hear a report on the latest weight loss craze. The latest opponents to face off are low fat vs. low carb diets. It reminds you of the old light beer commercial. Where half the room yells …”Less filling”...And the other half yell back  ...”tastes great”.

So if you want to lose weight AND reduce your risk factors for heart disease, should you go low-carbs or low-fat?

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine included 148 men and women who showed no clinical signs of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. They were assigned to follow either a low-carbohydrate or a low-fat diet. All were given dietary counseling, but had no set calorie goals and were asked not to change their physical activity levels.

After one year, the people on the low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight and had greater decreases in fat mass and other cardiovascular risk factors than those on the low-fat regimen. Reductions in LDL or bad cholesterol were similar in both groups. But HDL or good cholesterol levels increased more in those following the low-carb diet.

Overall, participants who went low-carb had significant decreases in their estimated 10-year risk for coronary heart disease while those eating low-fat did not.

The researchers say while there have been questions about the effects of a low-carb diet on the heart their findings show restricting carbohydrates may be an option for weight loss and cutting cardiovascular risk factors.