24/Seven June 2017

Lorraine Maita, MD
LOW FAT VERSUS LOW
CARBOHYDRATE: WHICH
IS BETTER FOR WEIGHT
LOSS AND METABOLISM?
low glycemic nature that may prevent
transient dips in blood sugar. The
increase in insulin sensitivity is thought
to be due to monounsaturated fats
found in olive oil and nuts. These are
metabolic advantages.
Any diet can be associated with weight
loss; the question is will it leave you
metabolically better or worse. There
is still controversy about low fat
versus low carbohydrate diets. After
reviewing the literature and comments
and conclusions of researchers, there
is evidence to suggest that weight
loss for the first six months is better in
men and women on low carbohydrate
diets than low fat diets. All conclude
that there are no long-term studies on
safety or efficacy of either low fat or
low carbohydrate diets.
Having been an avid reader on diet
and nutrition since medical school,
I continually find the literature
conflicting and confusing. However,
after years of clinical practice
and reading the details and debates,
a nutrient rich, hypoallergenic, diet
of whole, unprocessed foods
is healthiest.
The studies demonstrate that in
the short-term, low calorie, low
carbohydrate diets outperform low fat
diets in terms of weight and fat loss as
well as lowering triglycerides, improving
blood sugar control and insulin
sensitivity and lowering C reactive
protein, a biomarker of inflammation.
These benefits are statistically
significant, even when consuming the
same amount of calories. The source of
the calories has a metabolic effect.
There was better appetite suppression
on low carbohydrate diets thought
to be due to higher levels of the
ketone ß-hydroxybutyrate and the
Compared with a low-fat diet, a
low-carbohydrate diet program had
better participant retention and
greater weight loss. This type of diet
is considered an appropriate approach
to reducing the risk of cardiovascular
disease and type 2 diabetes and
can reduce inflammation, which is
responsible for seventy-five percent
of the degenerative diseases of
aging. LDL levels were higher in
the low carbohydrate group, however
you can make this less problematic
by reducing inflammation and
oxidation and increasing particle
size with the anti-inflammatory fats
and anti-oxidant rich fruits and
vegetables and dietary supplements.
The maintenance phase is key.
Eating a Mediterranean style diet high
in fiber and monounsaturated fats,
lots of vegetables in a rainbow of colors,
lean protein in the form of fish and
poultry, and some low-glycemic fruit
has been shown to be a very healthy
long-term strategy. Combine this with
balancing your protein, carbohydrates
and fats, controlling portion sizes
and getting an exercise prescription
for health, weight loss and more, is a
winning formula for long term weight
management.
Here’s to your health! Stay tuned for
some new weight loss solutions and
improving your metabolism to age
gracefully and healthfully.
Lorraine Maita, MD, is a recognized and award-winning holistic, functional and anti aging physician and author. She transforms people’s
lives by getting to the root cause of illness using the best of science and nature. Her approach is personalized, precision medicine where
you are treated as the unique individual you are. www.HowToLiveYounger.com