Due to the prevalence of fad diets, the scientific community has conducted many studies to investigate the effectiveness of different approaches in achieving the fastest weight loss. Diets tested include low fat, low carb, low calorie, and various combinations of these diets together. Several studies have concluded that in the short and long term, low-carb, or reduced carbohydrate diet plans are the most effective means for individuals to lose weight now, and keep it off for the long-term.
Avoiding Fad Diets
New fad diets are constantly being created and promoted in the dieting industry, by individuals hoping to sell diet formulations, books, pamphlets, eBooks, or promote websites or even blogs. Some fad diets are simply ineffective, and others can be downright dangerous. While the low-carb phenomenon has been called a fad diet by some, it has actually been around, helping dieters lose weight effectively, since before Dr. Atkins published his first Diet Revolution in 1972.
Diets That Work
According to a Duke University Study, a high-protein, low-carb diet was not only more effective for weight loss, it also resulted in an improvement in cholesterol levels, when compared to a low-fat, low-calorie diet. The segment of the study group that followed a reduced-carb diet cut their triglycerides nearly in half, while their HDL cholesterol levels increased by 5 points.
In addition to the cholesterol benefits, the low-carb dieters also lost an average of 26 pounds, compared to an average of 14 pounds lost by the low-fat dieters. The weight loss experienced by the reduced-carb dieters in this study reassures anyone hoping to lose weight that a reduced carbohydrate plan is one of the few diets that work.
Low-Carb Weight Loss
Low-carb weight loss is initially effective due to a loss of water weight. After the initial weight loss, however, a low-carb plan is effective due to the elimination of dietary sources of energy. Carbohydrates are the body's dietary source of energy. After being eaten, carbohydrates are converted into glucose, and moved through the bloodstream, providing cells with energy to perform their functions. Excess glucose is stored as fat, resulting in weight gain.
Fastest Weight Loss Diet - Reduced Carbohydrates
Individuals who restrict their carbohydrate intake force the body to find alternate sources of energy. The liver stores glycogen for emergency energy, but each molecule of glycogen is combined with four molecules of water. As the glycogen is used up, water is flushed out, which accounts for much of the initial low-carb weight loss. Fat is the body's stored-up energy, meant to be used during times without excess food to spare. Without a ready source of dietary energy, the body breaks down the stored fat into energy. This results in the ongoing weight loss experienced by low-carb dieters.
Want to get started with a reduced-carb diet? Read:
High-Protein, Low-Carb Diet Foods - Vegetables
Learn more about healthy high-protein low-carb diet foods. Vegetables are an important part of the diet, and low-carb when you calculate the net carb value.
When following a low-carb diet program, grocery shopping is a must, due to the fact that convenience foods are less healthy, and less conducive to weight loss success.
Diet Food Delivery for Help Losing Weight
A Low-Carb Diet's Weight Loss Without Cooking
Using diet food delivery with low carb diets, weight loss is simpler. Help losing weight through the mail comes in many varieties, including kosher diet food delivery.
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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