Low Carb Diets and Weight Loss

In the last few decades, many of the longest lasting diet crazes have been low carb diets. Some of the more popular low carb diet plans include the Atkins and South Beach diets. Many people have successfully used these diets to maintain a healthy weight.

For those that are constantly researching diet plans, you will notice the fact that the low carb diets are still popular even though they have been in the news for some time now. These plans are not a fad that will fade any time soon.

Low-Fat Diet Plans

After decades of education that points to the benefits of low-fat diet plans, Americans are now the fattest people on earth and getting fatter each year. More worryingly, the occurrences of diabetes is also increasing. As a result, it is believed that over 30 million Americans have taken up some sort of low carb diet.

Low carb diets, a common term which means low carbohydrate diets, are diet plans that are designed to promote weight loss while at the same time attempting to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in a diet. The reason many people begin a low carb diet is because the consumption of carbohydrates is linked to obesity and increased insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes. There is not a consensus among nutritionists regarding the effectiveness and safety of a low carb diet, yet many rely on the seemingly strong evidence that lends truth to the claim that a low carb diet can actually promote weight loss.

Are Low-Carb Diet Plans Boring?

A common complaint about these diets, however, is that they are so boring. Many dieters complain that "there's not enough variety," or "it gets so monotonous," or "there's nothing to eat." Fortunately for people who are motivated to keep with their low carbohydrate diet plan in order to meet their goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, there are ways to add flavor and diversity to one's weekly menu.

There is no reason that low carb dieting has to be boring. In fact, low carb dieting is not about eating a bland diet of raw vegetables and red meat, but instead it is about enjoying really delicious, really diverse foods.

Add Variety

The low carb diet is now considered as one of the most commonly used plans among dieters. It is therefore no doubt that as many people were drawn to it, many companies have developed services by providing recipes and quick-food choices in super markets designed especially for people committed to these plans. There are a number of ways to make these diet plans more exciting.

In addition, there are many cookbooks that cater to these diet-conscious menu seekers. For example, Cajun Clark, Internet presence and cookbook guru, has released his Sweet & Sassy! cookbook. This is not for the faint of heart, but it is for novice to advanced dessert makers, or anyone who wants to get to someone's heart through their stomach.

The low carbohydrate diet is not just a fad. History has shown it is a way of life, and a smart roadmap toward a healthy lifestyle.

Scientists Assess Risks and Benefits of Medifast Diet

In theory, weight loss is supposed to be easy. If you eat less food and expend more energy through exercise, most experts say, the resulting calorie deficit should result in gradual weight loss.

That?s what they say, anyway. In truth, though, it?s not always that easy. For millions of men and women, dieting is an uphill battle. Anyone who has found themselves locked in a weight loss struggle can understand the appeal of taking drastic measures to succeed.

There are hundreds of quick weight loss methods out there, many of which have been deemed unsafe for long-term use. However, there are a select few virtually fail-proof ?extreme? diets that have been tested and approved by credible physicians and researchers.

One of the most well-known of these diets is the Medifast plan. This primarily liquid diet uses a strict low-carb, low-fat formula to induce a benign form of ketosis, the state that is also used to achieve rapid results in many popular low-carb diets. However, the use of the physician-supplied liquid protein shakes as the main source of nutrients offers dieters a stricter measure of control over their food intake.

For the dieters who are able to summon up the willpower to stick to the strict rules of the Medifast plan, the weight loss results are often quick and dramatic. However, despite the high success rate of the Medifast diet, the long-term maintenance success of dieters is often less than stellar.

Although the Medifast plan remains controversial, ongoing research efforts are being undertaken to further confirm the safety and efficacy of the diet. This week, we?ll take a look at several recent studies, advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons - the different aspects of the Medifast plan.

Johns Hopkins Researchers Confirm the Effectiveness of Medifast

Researchers at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins School of Medicine developed a study designed to test the safety and efficacy of the Medifast diet plan. In the study, a population of significantly overweight men and women were placed on the Medifast diet under the careful observation of the research staff.

At the conclusion of the study period, virtually all of the participants had lost substantial amounts of weight. Among male subjects, the average weight loss was 67 pounds, while the female participants lost an average of 47 pounds. In addition, most of the study participants enjoyed a dramatic decline in obesity-related health problems and symptoms.

Researchers Find Medifast to be a Helpful Tool for Patients with Type II Diabetes

Adult-onset diabetes is a common health problem faced by overweight and obese men and women. By losing weight, Type II diabetics can often reduce their need for medication and significantly improve their overall health and quality of life. However, successful weight loss is often particularly challenging for diabetics.

One recent study conducted the safety and effectiveness of Medifast as a tool for helping Type II diabetics lose weight. In the study, a population of diabetics was divided into two groups, one of which followed the Medifast plan and the other of which followed the standard ADA-recommended diet for diabetics.

Over the course of 34 weeks, the Medifast group experienced much greater weight loss success than their counterparts in the ADA diet group. The patients following the Medifast diet lost twice as much weight and were twice as likely to stick with the program as were their counterparts in the standard food diet. In addition, the Medifast group was able to decrease their use of diabetes medication by nearly 25%, a phenomenon that was not observed in the ADA-diet group.

Supervised Diet Plans Often Have Little Long-Term Success, Scientists Say

Although some dieters respond well to the highly regimented structure of the Medifast diets, some researchers question the long-term effectiveness of these types of plans. One study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania compared the short- and long-term effectiveness of ten different commercial, medically-supervised weight-loss systems, including Medifast.

The research found that these plans were often successful for short-term weight loss, but that participants often encountered difficulty keeping the weight off for extended periods of time after the conclusion of the diet. It was also found that the financial costs of these plans can add up quickly.

If you?re considering using the Medifast diet, talk to your physician to find out if this is the right weight loss approach for you. Please check back each week for more of the diet news you need!