Health
Serious dieting helps avoid diabetes, heart problems
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 10, 2004
People who severely restrict their caloric intake can dramatically reduce their risk of developing diabetes or clogged arteries, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
They found that some risk factors among these avid dieters were so low they were comparable to those of people decades younger. Their findings are in the April 27 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers recruited participants through a national organization called the Caloric Restriction Optimal Nutrition Society. By eating small amounts of nutrient-dense foods, members of this group try to consume between 10% and 25% fewer calories than the average American, while still attempting to maintain proper nutrition.
The 18 individuals, ages 35 to 82, who participated in the study had voluntarily been following this very-low-calorie diet for three to 15 years. The group was compared with 18 age- and gender-matched individuals who ate a typical Western diet.
The calorie-restricted group ate between 1,100 and 1,950 calories per day depending on height, weight and gender, and these calories consisted of about 26% protein, 28% fat and 46% complex carbohydrates. The comparison group consumed between 1,975 and 3,550 calories per day with 18% from protein, 32% from fat and 50% from carbohydrates.
While the researchers couldn't say how long the individuals on the restricted calorie diets will live, they have a much longer life expectancy than average, said John O. Holloszy, MD, professor of medicine and the study's lead author. They're most likely not going to die from a heart attack, stroke or diabetes, he predicted.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/05/10/hlbf0510.htm.