A brand new study from Johns Hopkins University just presented yesterday at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 conference in San Diego found that dieters who followed a low-carb diet like Atkins shed more weight than those on a low-fat diet (10 pounds more in six months). The low-carb group lost more abdominal fat overall, plus there was no adverse effect on vascular health. These findings show what any of us who follow Atkins already know to be true—Not only can Atkins provide quick, satisfying weight loss, it also has many scientifically-validated health benefits, including improvements in heart health.

The study examined overweight or obese but otherwise healthy individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 years over a 6-month period. One group was randomly assigned a low-carbohydrate diet and the other a low-fat diet.   The low-carb group consumed a diet made up of no more than 30 percent of calories from carbs and as much as 40 percent of their diet was made up of fats.  Exercise was included for all participants and vascular health was checked before and after 6 months. Successful weight loss and reductions in total and abdominal fat, and BP were achieved with both groups.  Greater reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat occurred in the low-carb group. The low-fat diet consisted of no more than 30 percent from fat and 55 percent from carbs.
 
Additionally, when individual variations were examined, a greater loss of abdominal fat was associated with enhanced vascular health.
 
In his presentation lead researcher Kerry Stewart, professor of medicine and director of clinical and research exercise physiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Heart and Vascular Institute, said, “These findings are contrary to common beliefs that the less fat you eat the better your cardiovascular health.  What this study shows is that a low-carb diet not only helps people shed more weight and abdominal fat, but it did not have any harmful effects on vascular health.  Overall, there was an improvement in vascular health that was related to how much abdominal fat was lost, regardless of the diet. These data suggest that more people should be considering a low-carb diet as a viable option, especially since it results in greater abdominal fat loss."
 
If a low-carb diet like Atkins lets you lose more weight plus keep it off for the long term without feelings of deprivation or hunger, while lowering various risk factors that may contribute to heart disease, the choice should be clear. And fortunately new research continues to support this even more. What are you waiting for?