The effects of low-carbohydrate diet and protein-rich mixed diet on insulin sensitivity, basal metabolic rate and metabolic parameters in obese patients

Abstract

Objective: Various diet plans with varying ratios of carbohyd-rates, proteins, and fat ensure weight loss in obesity. The pri-mary aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of weight loss on metabolic parameters, and the secondary aim was to com-pare the successes of various weight loss regimens in maintai-ning weight loss. Material and Methods: A team of doctors comprising a dietary consultant and a psychologist developed a program that was followed throughout our study. Twenty-two patients were included in our study. Based on their preference, they were classified into two groups: low carbohydrate diet (At-kins) group and protein-rich mixed diet group. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.4±3 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 36.1±1.2 kg/m2. Five patients followed the Atkins diet, whereas 17 followed the protein-rich mixed diet. Compared with the baseline values, in the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months, body weight (BW), BMI, and waist circumference decreased significantly (p<0.001) in all the patients. Basal metabolic rate decreased in the third and sixth months but increased in the 12th. Fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, 120-minute blood glucose level in oral glucose tolerance test, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, free fatty acids, and uric acid did not change significantly (p>0.05). In the Atkins group, BMI decreased significantly in the 6th month (p=0.03) but increased in the 12th month (p=0.29). In the protein-rich mixed diet group, BMI (basal 35.1±1.5 kg/m2) decreased significantly (32.8±1.5, p<0.001) in the 6th month, and continued to decrease in the twelfth (31.5±1.2, p=0.007). Conclusion: In obesity, approximately 10% weight loss can change metabolic parameters moderately. The Atkins and protein-rich mixed diets caused similar weight loss ratios in the first six months, but a protein-rich mixed diet was more successful in terms of long-term sustainability and maintenance of weight loss.