A VLC diet with gradual transition to Mediterranean low glycemic foods as a treatment of obesity – a pilot study
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Improved approaches to treat obesity are urgently needed, especially those feasible for the primary health care system. Such treatments should preferably reduce body weight by altering the long term habitual dietary and lifestyle pattern. In this work we studied the weight reducing effect of using the ketogenic, low calorie Eurodiet approach for 7 months.
METHODS:
Forty-four patients with a baseline BMI of 34.8 were recruited to participate in a 7 month Eurodiet treatment program at Dr. Fedon Lindberg’s Clinic in Oslo, Norway. Mean participant age was 50 years and final study group consisted of 8 men and 24 women. Primary outcome was weight loss. Body weight, body composition and blood variables were measured at baseline and after 7 months. The Eurodiet method is a four phase method, and is initiated with a ketogenic very low calorie diet based on Eurodiet products and selected vegetables. Food intake is then gradually increased until the patient has established a Mediterranean inspired, low glycemic load diet.
RESULTS:
Thirty-two patients completed the 7 month treatment. Average weight loss was 14.7 kg (p “ 0.01) or 14.2% of baseline weight. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) showed a mean loss of 2.8 kg fat free mass. The treatment resulted in statistically significant improvement in the risk profile for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Fasting serum glucose was reduced by 0.4 mmol/L, insulin by 31.2 pmol/L, total cholesterol by 0.3 mmol/L, LDL-cholesterol by 0.3 mmol/L, and fasting triglycerides by 0.7 mmol/L, and HDL-cholesterol was increased by 0.2 mmol/L.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Eurodiet treatment method of obesity appeared effective over 7 months, and was accompanied by an improved risk profile for diabetes and CVD. The long term effects are not documented and such documentation should be investigated.
