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Summary: In
addition to weight loss, a vegan low-carbohydrate diet may also reduce the risk
of heart disease by 10 percent over 10 years, researchers have demonstrated for
the first time. The diet is a low-carbohydrate vegan diet. Many
low-carbohydrate diets have been proven to improve weight loss but most
emphasize eating animal proteins and fats, which may raise cholesterol. Diets
that are high in vegetable proteins and oils may reduce the risk of heart
disease by lowering "bad cholesterol."
Researchers at St.
Michael's Hospital have shown for the first time that, in addition to weight
loss, a specific low-carbohydrate diet may also reduce the risk of heart
disease by 10 per cent over 10 years.
The diet, often called
Eco-Atkins, is a low-carbohydrate vegan diet. Many low-carbohydrate diets have
been proven to improve weight loss but most emphasize eating animal proteins
and fats, which may raise cholesterol. Diets that are high in vegetable proteins
and oils may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering "bad
cholesterol."
The findings, which
were published in British
Medical Journal Open, compared Eco-Atkins to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat
diet. The Eco-Atkins diet reduced cholesterol by 10 per cent while also helping
participants lose an average of four more pounds than the high-carbohydrate,
low-fat diet over six months.
"We could expect
similar results in the real world because study participants selected their own
diets and were able to adjust to their needs and preferences," said Dr.
Jenkins, who is a vegan.
Participants were given
menu plans that outlined food items and amounts. Rather than requiring fixed
meals, the menus served as a reference guide and participants were given a list
of suitable food alternatives. With an exchange list of interchangeable food
items, participants were better able to adapt the diet to their personal tastes
-- which helped to encourage adherence to the diet.
Twenty-three obese men
and women completed the six-month diet. Participants were encouraged to eat
only 60 per cent of their estimated caloric requirements -- the amount of
calories that should be consumed daily to maintain their current weight.
Eco-Atkins participants
aimed for a balance of 26 per cent of calories from carbohydrates, 31 per cent
from proteins and 43 per cent from fat -- coming primarily vegetable oils.
Carbohydrate sources
included high-fibre foods such as oats and barley and low-starch vegetables
such as okra and eggplant. Proteins came from gluten, soy, vegetables, nuts and
cereals. Predominant fat sources for the Eco-Atkins diet were nuts, vegetable
oils, soy products and avocado.
Story Source:
The above story is
based on materials provided by St. Michael's
Hospital. Note:
Materials may be edited for content and length.
Cite This Page:
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MLA
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APA
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St. Michael's Hospital.
"Low-carb vegan diet may reduce heart disease risk, weight." Science Daily,
22 May 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140522105136.htm>.
