The Great, Fat War

It's an age old question that has recently been revisited in the media. Which diet is better for losing weight, or maintaining a healthy lifestyle? For decades, many major health organizations promoted the a low-fat diet. However, in recent years, a number of rigorous scientific studies have shown that actually low-fat diets are largely ineffective in helping individuals lose weight when compared to a diet low in carbohydrates.

In one particular study, two groups were put on different diets, one low-carb and the other low-fat. Those in the low-carb group were told to only consume about 30 percent of their daily calories from carbohydrates. In the low-fat group, 30 percent of their daily calories could come from fats. Over the course of a year, those in the low-carb group lost about 7.7 lbs per year more than those in the low-fat group, on average. In addition, most of weight lost by participants in the low-fat group was lean muscle, not fat.

Aside from weight loss, those in the low-carb group saw significant improvement in their total-HDL cholesterol ratio, meaning that their "good cholesterol" levels increased with respect to their "bad cholesterol." The same cannot be said for those in the low-fat group. Not to mention, the triglyceride levels of participants in the low-carb group fell more than those in the other group. Yes, by most measurements, it seems that the results of this study indicate superior health benefits for those eating a low-carb diet versus a low-fat one.

While this is only one study, there have been a number of others over the past decade that verify these findings. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and it is difficult to expect the governmental guidelines for the optimal diet will change anytime soon. However, if Americans were to substantially alter their diets to favor one richer in fats and proteins with fewer carbohydrates, how would it impact our current food system? Would subsidies necessarily be provided to those growing different crops? What would the economic and social impacts be of such a dramatic shift in what people eat? It is hard to know for sure, but it is something to consider.

Below is a link to 23 studies showing the benefits of a low-carb diet:

<http://authoritynutrition.com/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets/>