http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/4/1/23
Effects of low carbohydrate diets high in red meats or poultry, fish and
shellfish on plasma lipids and weight loss
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) have been demonstrated to be effective tools
for promoting weight loss and an improved plasma lipid profile. Such diets
are often associated with increased meat consumption, either poultry, fish,
and shellfish (PFS), which are generally high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA)
or red meats (RM), generally high in saturated fat (SFA). The fatty acid
profile and content of a diet may influence the plasma lipid profile of
humans. This study examined whether the type of meat consumed could
influence the outcome of an LCD.
Methods
Moderately obese subjects consumed two different LCDs as part of a weight
loss regimen: 1) a diet high in foods of mammalian origin (RM) intended to
contain more SFA, or 2) a diet high in PFS intended to contain more PUFA.
Diet dependent changes in body weight, nutritional intake, and plasma lipids
were evaluated during a 28 day study period.
Results
Both diets were associated with significant weight loss after 28 days, -5.26
+/- 0.84 kg and -5.74 +/- 0.63 kg for RM and PFS groups, respectively. The
PFS diet was associated with a significantly higher intake of PUFA and
cholesterol. Despite high cholesterol and fat intakes, neither diet was
associated with significant changes in plasma cholesterol or the plasma
lipoprotein cholesterol profile. While plasma triglycerides were reduced in
both groups, the effect was only statistically significant for the PFS diet.