Low Carb Diets Are Beneficial in Reducing Visceral Fat in Type 2

A1c’s, HDL’s and insulin sensitivity improved as visceral fat was reduced. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of low carbohydrate diet on glucose and lipid metabolism, especially on visceral fat accumulation, and comparing that of a high carbohydrate diet. Obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to take a low calorie and low carbohydrate diet (n=11, 1000 kcal per day, protein:carbohydrate:fat=25:40:35) or a low calorie and high carbohydrate diet (n=11, 1000 kcal per day, protein:carbohydrate:fat=25:65:10) for 4 weeks.

Similar decreases in body weight and serum glucose levels were observed in both groups. Fasting serum insulin levels were reduced in the low carbohydrate diet group compared to the high carbohydrate diet group (-30% versus -10%, P<0.05). Total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased in both groups, but were not significantly different from each other. High-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL–C) increased in the low carbohydrate diet group but not in the high carbohydrate diet group (+15% versus 0%, P<0.01). There was a larger decrease in visceral fat area measured by computed tomography in the low carbohydrate diet group compared to the high carbohydrate diet group (-40 cm2 versus -10 cm2, P<0.05). The ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area did not change in the high carbohydrate diet group (from 0.70 to 0.68), but it decreased significantly in the low carbohydrate diet group (from 0.69 to 0.47, P<0.05).

These results suggest that, when restrict diet was made isocaloric, a low calorie/low carbohydrate diet might be more effective treatment for a reduction of visceral fat, improved insulin sensitivity and increased in HDL–C levels than low calorie/high carbohydrate diet in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, Vol 65, Issue 3, Sept 2004 pg: 235-241

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