This article is not meant to diagnose or provide medical advicethat responsibility lies with physicians. The author is not a licensed medical professional.

Cutting carbs has long been considered a key to weight loss, just look at the Atkins and South Beach diets. The newest in the low-carb craze is the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet arose about a century ago as a way to treat children with epilepsy, but recently, its been revived and retooled as a method for weight loss.

While many versions of the diet exist, the basic idea is that by severely restricting carbohydrates and boosting fats, the body enters into a state of ketosis, so that instead of burning sugar and carbohydrates for fuel, it uses fat.

But getting to ketosis is tough. Under many versions of the diet, daily carbohydrate intake cant exceed 20 gramsthe equivalent of a little more than one apple. So in addition to cutting starches such as bread, pasta and rice, followers of the diet also have to eliminate fruit and some vegetables, and instead rely on meat, poultry, fish and high-fat dairy products.

The Benefits

Adhering to a real food version of the ketogenic dietconsuming foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cream, butter and vegetablesis an effective way to lose weight, according to Eric Westman, M.D., MHS, director of the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic.

You basically use for energy what you eat, said Dr. Westman. If youre eating lots of carbohydrates, youre going to burn them for energy. If youre eating fat and not carbohydrates, youre going to be burning fat for your energy.

Following the ketogenic diet, Westman explained, can aid in weight loss and managing diabetesresults that are backed by science. Its now one of the most studied diets ever, he said. Since 2002, there have probably been 50 to 75 papers, the longest one over two years. The best way to say it is that theres as much evidence for this kind of diet as there is for any kind of diet.

Dr. Westman has also seen the same positive results in his own clinical work. In the short run, I can fixmeaning put in remissionsomeones diabetes in just a few weeks even if theyve had it for years, he said. In addition, he explained, pre-clinical science has pointed to the possibility that the diet may also be helpful to patients with Alzheimers disease and certain types of cancer.

Meanwhile, the effectiveness of low-fat diets hasnt been proven, according to Dr. Westman. The low-fat diet was actually tested among about 50,000 women for eight years, he said. And the low-fat diet didnt help with anything.

But Dr. Westman said more research is needed into the specifics of the ketogenic diet to better understand the optimal ratio of macronutrientsfat, protein and carbohydratesa person should consume. While everyone thinks they know what the right number is, I dont think anyone really knows, he said. When I use this diet in a clinical setting, I allow people to choose their own foods within a range of certain foods, and not really fine-tune the macronutrient mix at all.

The Drawbacks

Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty

While the ketogenic diet can aid in weight loss, it may not be nutritionally sound, said Jim White, RDN, owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios in Virginia Beach.

It really almost avoids three food groups, he said of grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Those are some major foods that can help to decrease cholesterol, decrease the risk of cancer and help improve the body.

The carbohydrates that are severely restricted under the ketogenic diet are an important macronutrient, said White. While reducing added sugars and highly processed carbohydrates is helpful, he explained, eliminating nutritious carbohydrates can deprive the body of the energy it needs to function properly.

White also hesitates to recommend a diet that restricts fruits and vegetables, since most Americans struggle to eat the recommended five servings per day. Before we make all these other suggestions, just getting them to eat fruits and vegetables is a big goal, he said. Studies show that fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy products help you lose weight and give you nutrients for vitality. I never have people come to my clinic and say theyre obese because they eat too much fruit.

And he doubts the long-term viability of extreme eating regimens. If you look at a lot of the studies, not just ketogenic, many of the diets are effective for a 12-week span, but longevity is very challenging, he said. Most people end up starting to eat carbs again and it knocks them out of ketosis, and they end up right back where they were.

Instead, White recommends a more balanced approach of about 50 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent protein and 30 percent fat. If we start neglecting one of these, were out of balance and were not getting the nutrients we need, he said.

Tips and Tricks

For Maria Emmerich, author of several ketogenic cookbooks including Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking: Meal Plans and Time Saving Paleo Recipes to Inspire Health and Shed Weight, eating this way doesnt have to mean giving up favorite foods.

I love food, so I recreate my and everyones favorite dishes into ketogenic dishes, she said. If you dont mind spending a little time in the kitchen or being creative, it definitely can become a lifestyle.

Emmerich replaces starches with cauliflower rice (which she said can be made from scratch or even found pre-made in some grocery stores), zucchini or cabbage noodles and baked avocado fries wrapped in bacon. Some of her go-to homemade dinners include pizza with a zucchini or almond flour crust and skillet lasagna.

Eating out is where many people slip up on the diet, she said. But its not impossible. At brunch, instead of French toast, order an omelet or salmon, eggs and hollandaise sauce. For lunch or dinner, try a burger with a side salad instead of a bun, but be wary of condiments like ketchup, which are full of sugar.

Even dessert using alternative sweeteners such as Stevia isnt off limits. One of Emmerichs favorites is a flourless chocolate torte, which she always keeps on-hand in her freezer, and push pops made of heavy cream, unsweetened almond milk and avocado.

I learned to have desserts at home, she said. Prepping ahead helps you to say no when the dessert is staring at you in the face.

Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil is a journalist based in Southern California who covers social issues, culture, food and health.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Ketogenic Diet - Paste Magazine

This is not a "how to get the perfect beach bod" article. My goal is not to promote crash diets or intensive quick-fix workout regimens.

At this point, with a little over a week until break, it really is impossible to get that bikini bod you promised yourself last year.

Crash dieting will produce results, but those diets are impossible to maintain and leave us so hungry that we end up heavier than before starting the diet.

However, there are small changes that could make you feel less comparable to the Pillsbury Dough Boy without putting your health in jeopardy.

Say no to soda.

Put down the Coca-Cola and drink some water instead. If water isnt your forte, try green tea. It is zero calories and a good metabolism booster. All tea without sweeteners is good for the body.

For the diet soda advocates out there,this video from SourceFed might change your minds. Diet soda slows the metabolism and tricks the body in gross ways.

Next tip: put down the alcohol.

Here's the problem with all alcoholic beverages, and the reason I recommend refraining from alcohol consumption on the diet. Alcohol, whenever taken in, is the first fuel to burn. While that's going on, your body will not burn fat, said Robert C. Atkins, diet guru, in anarticle about how alcohol hinders fat loss.

Though I am not encouraging crash diets, I will say there are plenty of foods to cut out while in pursuit of a leaner figure. Cutting these out for the rest of your life would be optimal, but that probably is not realistic.

Foods to avoid: pizza, cookies, cake, chocolate, fried foods, etc.

Avoid grains. The body does not need bread. Eat vegetables instead. Vegetables do not digest as quickly, therefore you will feel full longer with less.

Try sweet potatoes. They are full of nutrients and can be prepared inunlimited ways. No, the sweet potato fries from Burger 37 are not healthy.

If you find yourself wanting a burger, it wouldnt hurt to ask if the restaurant has a lettuce wrap option. This way, you get the experience of the burger without the calorie-filled sponge of regret traveling through your intestines.

Surprise adults do not need dairy. Once we stop being babies, milk becomes an unnecessary fattening agent. Milks purpose is for growth. If you are in college, you are probably way past puberty and have likely ceased growing.

It pains my soul to write an article about quick fixes. If your doctor says youre healthy, stay that way.

If you are a broke college student and prefer to steer clear of doctors, check in with yourself and honestly determine if you feel good as you are.

"Dont starve. Dont vomit. Dont spend three hours at the gym every day. Its not worth it. Obsession only leads to misery."

Dont starve. Dont vomit. Dont spend three hours at the gym every day. Its not worth it. Obsession only leads to misery.

However, still work out. Exercise is great for more than just weight loss. The endorphins released during a workout are mood-lifting and confidence-boosting.

I know that no matter how sour my day, week or month was, an hour of Zumba or high intensity interval training is sure to give me a healthy dose of happiness.

Also, yoga is great for toning. I break a sweat every time I take a yoga class. Maybe that is just because I am an aggressively sweaty person by nature, but it is also seriously great for working the core and thighs.

Even though it may be too late to safely make any significant weight alterations, exercising for at least 20 minutes three times a week can greatly improve your mental state.

Do not spend spring break resenting poor choices and obsessing over how you look. We do enough of that while at school.

In the end, it comes down to what makes us feel confident and comfortable in our skin.

Confidence is the most attractive accessory, after all. Feeling strong and fit could be the lifestyle addition you need to exude confidence and truly enjoy spring break.

If you dont feel flattering in a swimsuit, then find theflowiestmaxi dress you care to buy and stretch out by the ocean while looking like a goddess.

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Healthy Hokies: How not to hate yourself over spring break - Virginia Tech Collegiate Times

February 22, 2017

An international clinical trial conducted by the University of Liverpool has shown that the drug liraglutide 3.0 mg may reduce diabetes risk by 80% in individuals with obesity and prediabetes according to a study published today in The Lancet.

This three-year SCALE obesity and prediabetes trial followed 2254 adults with prediabetes at 191 research sites in 27 countries worldwide. The aim was to evaluate whether liraglutide 3.0 mg can safely delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in participants with prediabetes.

Prediabetes, also commonly referred to as borderline diabetes, is a metabolic condition and growing global problem that is closely tied to obesity. If undiagnosed or untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes; which whilst treatable is currently not fully reversible.

Significant health cost

In the UK 1 in 10 of the population have prediabetes. The associated health care cost to the economy is significant. These individuals are at risk of a range of conditions that can affect their overall health including type 2 diabetes and its complications as well as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Liraglutide promotes weight loss by interacting with the areas of the brain that control appetite and energy intake.

The participants in the study, which was conducted at University Hospital Aintree, were randomly allocated to either liraglutide 3.0 mg or a placebo delivered by injection under the skin once daily for 160 weeks. They were also placed on a reduced calorie diet and advised to increase their physical activity.

The study showed that three years of continuous treatment with once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg, in combination with diet and increased physical activity, reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 80% and results in greater sustained weight loss compared to the placebo.

New therapeutic approach

Professor John Wilding, Professor of Medicine at the University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant Physician is an obesity specialist was an investigator in the trial and an author of this study.

Professor Wilding, said: "In this study, we wanted to see if this drug in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and lifestyle intervention could delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in a high-risk population with obesity and prediabetes.

"On the basis of our findings, liraglutide 3.0 mg can provide us with a new therapeutic approach for patients with obesity and prediabetes to substantially reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its related complications.

"As healthcare professionals, it is important that we can offer a treatment to our type 2 diabetes patients that we are confident will achieve results in the real-world that are consistent with the results of the clinical trial programme."

The study is a continuation of work started by Professor Wilding in 1996 when he was working at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, and was part of the team that first showed that the hormone GLP-1, on which liraglutide is based, was involved in the control of food intake. Professor Wilding adds "It is very exciting to see a laboratory observation translated into a medicine that has the potential to help so many people, even though it has taken over 20 years."

Explore further: Liraglutide may help nondiabetic overweight and obese adults lose weight and lower risks

More information: '3 years' of liraglutide versus placebo for type 2 diabetes risk reduction and weight management in individuals with prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind trial', dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30069-7

Journal reference: The Lancet

Provided by: University of Liverpool

For people with prediabetes who are overweight or obese, adding 3.0 mg of liraglutide for three years to a diet and exercise plan may lead to major health improvements, new industry-sponsored research suggests. The results ...

Nondiabetic obese and overweight people lose more weight, are more likely to reverse prediabetes and are slower to develop type 2 diabetes when they take the diabetes drug liraglutide in addition to dieting and exercising, ...

Among overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes, daily injection of the diabetes drug liraglutide with a modified insulin pen device, in addition to diet and exercise, resulted in greater weight loss over 56 weeks ...

Many individuals with type 2 diabetes produce abnormally low levels of a gut hormone called GLP-1, which normally stimulates insulin release from the pancreas.

(HealthDay)Here's yet another reason to get off the couch: Inactivity is associated with greater risk of prediabetes, even for healthy-weight adults, a new study finds.

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A diet designed to imitate the effects of fasting appears to reverse diabetes by reprogramming cells, a new USC-led study shows.

(Medical Xpress)A team of researchers with members from several institutions in Germany and one in the U.K. has discovered what might be a way to tell if a newborn child is likely to develop type 1 diabetes as they grow ...

People with diabetes are at high risk of developing heart disease. Despite knowing this, scientists have struggled to trace the specific biology behind that risk or find ways to intervene. Now, UNC School of Medicine researchers ...

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New approach to reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes trialled in Liverpool - Medical Xpress

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (press release)

Giant Panda Bao Bao Departs Smithsonian's National Zoo for China Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (press release) Bao Bao received her morning diet of 17 pounds (8 kilograms) of bamboo and 5.4 (150 grams) leafeater biscuits and spent time in her outdoor habitat. Already acclimated from daily training, keepers Marty Dearie and Laurie Thompson called Bao Bao back ... and more »

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Giant Panda Bao Bao Departs Smithsonian's National Zoo for China - Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (press release)

You've heard of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets like the Atkins diet and Paleo diet. These and other so-called ketogenic diets are gaining in popularity due to their effectiveness, but do you know what, exactly, they do in your body to trigger weight loss?

In a standard carb-loaded American diet, the body burns glucose from carbohydrates as an energy source in a process called glycosis. But when you limit your carbs and increase your fat intake, your body moves into a metabolic state of ketosis, meaning that its burning fat stored in your body instead of glucose, according to Web MD. Ketosis also drastically reduces blood sugar and insulin resistance.

As Dr. Eric Westman, director of the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic at Duke University, told Time Magazine, "You determine what your body burns for fuel based on what you feed it.

Ketogenic diets have been used to treat pediatric epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and cancer. (Photo: Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock)

A ketogenic diet has been used for almost 100 years to treat pediatric epilepsy, Scientific American reports, because a ketogenic diet mimics fasting, which has long been known to have a therapeutic effect on seizures. Similar to a state of ketosis, the body also burns fat for energy during fasts. Usually, a pediatric ketogenic diet starts with 24 hours of fasting in a hospital setting, where doctors can monitor frequency of seizures, medication, and help educate the parents on the ins and outs of the diet.

Ketogenic diets may very well be able to delay symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases and even reverse them completely. Dr. Terry Wahls, whose lecture Minding your Mitochondria went viral a few years ago, summarily reversed the progression of her secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, following a Paleo ketogenic diet.

Dominic DAgostino, a Ph.D. and associate professor at University of San Francisco, recently told Mens Fitness that a ketogenic diet also could be the key to beating cancer. We think the majority of cancers could be metabolically managed through nutritional ketosis, either as a stand-alone pill or an adjunct to standard care, he said.

No matter what your reason is for considering a ketogenic diet, you should know that getting started may be a little rough on your body.

A true ketogenic diet can be hard to maintain, so do it under the care of a doctor or nutritionist to make sure you're getting adequate nutrition. (Photo: Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock)

Following a ketogenic diet is no small feat, because in order to start it, you have to go off carbohydrates almost entirely. Your body feels deprived. Its what many call a low-carb flu. But after you get through this initial roadblock, many report feeling sharper than before and more energized.

So what exactly can you eat on a ketogenic diet? Some options are below:

A true ketogenic diet can be hard to maintain, since carbohydrates from sugar in something as inconsequential as toothpaste or cookie crumbs can send your body back into glycosis.

If you want try a ketogenic diet, do it under the care of a doctor or nutritionist to make sure youre getting adequate nutrition. And though it may be difficult in the beginning, dont give up. The Mens Fitness article says that leading Boston College cancer researcher Thomas Seyfried, M.D., believes that a ketogenic diet is therapeutically even more valuable in fighting cancer than chemo.

A bold yet heartening statement.

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What is a ketogenic diet? - Mother Nature Network

Its important to me that you know this isnt a diet book, writes author Jessica Murnane in her introduction to her cookbook, One Part Plant (Harper Wave, $27.99).

Murnanes book, instead, is what all cookbooks should be, a collection of enjoyable recipes meant to get you in the kitchen. Except thats not 100 percent true, because Murnane does have a bit of an agenda: She wants you to eat better, one plant at a time.

Her book, as its title suggests, advocates for a plant-based diet, but don't let that description deter you from cracking the spine. The book is not about what you cant eat, says Murnane, who will be in Chicago in March to promote the book. Im trying to get people to try something different, not deprive them of anything.

This approach is gaining her a lot of praise, not least of which from Lena Dunham, creator of the hit series Girls." In her foreword to One Part Plant, Dunham goes so far as to say the book will change your life.

Thats a high mark for a first-time cookbook author, but Murnane takes it in stride. Im not trying to shame anyone, she says. Im not here telling people to quit cheese forever just maybe eat more vegetables.

Murnane is the first to tell you that up until a few years ago, she wasnt really that into food or healthy eating, whatever that meant. As she writes on her website, her major food groups were Sour Patch Kids, Diet Coke, and Whatever Lean Cuisine Had the Most Cheese.

But then she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful reproductive system disorder that has few treatment options and no cures (Dunham also has it). In fact, it took a number of doctors to successfully determine the cause of her debilitating pain. After a number of surgeries and a cocktail of painkillers, therapy, yoga and even alternative medicines, she was faced with the possibility of a hysterectomy.

I thought that the surgery was my only option, she says, but then a friend shared with me a website explaining that a plant-based diet could help with the pain from endo. Murnane is quick to note that you should consult your doctors regarding treatment, but for her, the idea of surgery was daunting. All other options exhausted, she decided to try changing her diet before settling for the surgery.

At first, it was tough going. I was so mad and angry, like something was being taken away from me my first meal was a tortilla with salsa on it, and steamed vegetables. I thought, I think the hysterectomy would be easier. But Murnane stuck with the diet, skipping takeout and cutting out inflammation-causing foods, plus cooking for herself. And then she started to feel better, but not without some struggle.

When I started cooking, finding recipes was tough something easy that didnt take three hours to make and 10 minutes to eat, she recalls. Not finding any plant-based solutions in existing diet books everything was so restrictive, and no one likes to be told you cant eat this, dont eat that she set out to create her own recipes, while also obtaining a certification in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Foundation.

Food should be nurturing, she says. You see people drinking kale smoothies, and you beat yourself up because maybe youll never be like them. That doesnt make dieting easier or fun. Thats the crux of her book: Changing a diet doesnt have to be all or nothing. It can come one meal, or one plant at a time.She personally doesnt identify as vegan (she still eats honey), but Murnane does avoid gluten, which can trigger pain and inflammation for sufferers of endometriosis. Going gluten-free isnt the answer for everyone, either, she notes.

The book itself is vibrant dishes pop off the page. The variety of foods, too, is impressive. Its not just salads here. Murnanes tacos (made with creamy butternut squash and lentils) look worthy of any taqueria, while her mushroom-spinach lasagna is so hearty and filling, youd never believe it didnt have cheese the creamy component is actually a surprisingly smooth and savory cashew sauce. A tomato-white bean panzanella (with bread!) is bright with smashed garlic but comes together in just a few minutes. Same goes for her roasted potato, corn and leek chowder, a hearty, comforting soup with only eight common ingredients. A dessert section features everything from a neon-red granita by fellow cookbook author and friend Julia Turshen, to chocolate chip cookies and a triple berry skillet cobbler.

Perhaps most impressively, none of the recipes look outright healthy in the way that many so-called diet books do. Theres no hit-you-over-the-head selling of a lifestyle, even as Murnane is the embodiment of a plant-based life by necessity. But ultimately, shes not here to convert you just encourage you to try going one part plant, one meal at a time.

(The book) is about more than just Meatless Monday, says Murnane. People hate Mondays already, and then youre going to tell them what they cant eat? Yeah, no.

Murnane, a former Chicagoan, is making a few stops in her old stomping grounds as part of herbook tour. She's partnered with local restaurants for plant-based promotions, including Do-Rite Donuts (223 E. Erie St.) for a 100 percent plant-based doughnut, available March 6-10,and Lula Cafe for a farm dinner March 6. Murnane will sign books at Foodease in the Water Tower Place, time to be determined, March 7. On March 8, she is hosting a party and book signing at Gather Home, 6-8 p.m. (2321 W. North Ave.). Email hola@onepartplant.com to RSVP. Visitonepartplant.com for more details.

jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com Twitter@joeybear85

Creamy mushroom lasagna

Makes: 8 servings

From "One Part Plant" by Jessica Murnane, who writes that she has enjoyed many pans of lasagna that sub vegetables for noodles, but for her, lasagna must have noodles.

Olive, grape seed, or coconut oil, or veggie broth for sauteing

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound mushrooms, chopped (you can use a mix of different mushrooms)

1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos

1 teaspoon dried thyme

3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked for a few hours (overnight is best), drained

1 cup veggie broth

2 big handfuls spinach

10 ounces gluten-free lasagna noodles (I love Tinkyadas brown rice pasta)

4 cups marinara sauce, store-bought (a 32-ounce jar) or homemade

Nutritional yeast (optional)

1 Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2 In a large skillet, heat a glug of oil or veggie broth over medium. When the pan is hot, add the garlic and saute until it becomes fragrant. This will take about a minute. Add the mushrooms, tamari, and thyme. Cook, stirring every minute or so, for 6 to 8 minutes or until the mushrooms release their water and a little broth starts to form.

3 Combine the cashews and veggie broth in a high-speed blender and blend until the mixture is completely smooth. This might take up to 5 minutes, depending on the speed and power of your blender. Pour the cashew sauce into the pan with the mushrooms. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for a couple minutes to let the sauce thicken, stirring frequently. Throw in the spinach and stir for another minute.

4 Prepare the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Make sure to do this after your mushroom sauce is ready to go, so the noodles dont sit for too long and start sticking together.

5 Spread a third of the marinara sauce on the bottom of an 8-by-11-inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with half of the mushroom cream. Add a layer of noodles. Use another third of the marinara to cover these noodles. Add the remaining mushroom cream. Add the last layer of noodles and cover it with the remaining marinara sauce.

6 Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast over the top, if you like, and bake for another 15 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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'One Part Plant' is all about plant-based eating, but don't call it a diet book - Chicago Tribune

On any given day, just over 1 in 5 American adults are actively trying to lose weight. An additional 50% have tried dieting for some length of time, but have retreatedto old routines while mounting the will to try again.

Results will be mixed, ensuring the nations sprawling diet industry a steady flow of revenue. According to Marketdata Enterprises, which tracks the weight-loss industry, we spend more than $60 billion a year on diet foods, books, coaching, meetings, mobile apps and meal plans to help with weight loss.

Thoughdieters may be deadly serious in their objectives,roughly 4 in 5 shun expert guidance infavor of a do-it-yourself approach, according to Marketdata. These homemade strategies are based ondiet plans touted by celebrities or trumpeted in bookstores, online or on TV.

Fads come and go. Confusion reigns. And failure is common.

Physicians generally arentmuch help. Under the Affordable Care Act, whose future is uncertain, primary care doctors are expected to advise all obese patients to lose weight and counsel them on how to do so. Research tells us a doctors recommendation can be a powerful spur to weight loss. But few are equipped to lead patients to the specific plan that will work best for them.

It doesnt help that the science of what works is filled with gaps and contradictions, or that the diet plan that works for one person may not work well for another.

Its simple to say that to lose weight, calories out must exceed calories in and that to reverse obesity, just continue the process. But experts say that losing weight, and maintaining that loss, is vastly more complex.

Its a matter of evolution adaptations tofamine and drought have helped design the human body to abhor the loss of weight. As researchers demonstrated in a study of people who lost about 14% of their starting weight with a very-low-calorie diet, the body undergoes a host of changes to ensure that the weight is regained.

Metabolic rate drops, allowing the post-diet body to do more with fewer calories. Myriad hormonal signals shift in ways that boost appetite. Those changes endure for at least a year after weight is lost, the researchers found. Even after weight comes back, many of those changes persist, ensuring further weight gain.

These findings, which have been replicated by other studies, helpexplain why95% of dieters will regain all the weight they lost within five years, and most will gain a few extra pounds as well.

Resultslike that have fueleda growing expert consensus that dieting temporary adherence to a regimen of eating that causes weight loss is a fools errand. When weight must be lost, experts say, it should be with strategies and eating patterns that can be maintained over the long haul.

Those strategies should be flexible enough to withstand the plateaus of weight loss. They should be sustainable enough to support long-term health and nutrition while helping prevent Type 2 diabetes and other diseases linked to obesity. And they should be tolerable enough to stick with through a weight loss maintenance period that may last a lifetime.

In short, diets must become a way of life, not a painful interlude,says Dr. Louis J. Aronne , a weight-loss specialist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City who has developed an online program called BMIQ to guide physicians and obese patients on their choices.

The diet that people find easiest to comply with is the one that works best for them, Aronne says.

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Trying to lose weight? The key is to diet for the long term - Los Angeles Times