....another high fat vs high carb diet comparison...the hdl results are
interesting.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstra
ct&list_uids=14574348

Almonds vs complex carbohydrates in a weight reduction program.

Wien MA, Sabate JM, Ikle DN, Cole SE, Kandeel FR.

City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. mwien@coh.org

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an almond-enriched (high
monounsaturated fat, MUFA) or complex carbohydrate-enriched (high
carbohydrate) formula-based low-calorie diet (LCD) on anthropometric, body
composition and metabolic parameters in a weight reduction program. DESIGN:
A randomized, prospective 24-week trial in a free-living population
evaluating two distinct macronutrient interventions on obesity and metabolic
syndrome-related parameters during weight reduction. SUBJECTS: In total, 65
overweight and obese adults (age: 27-79 y, body mass index (BMI): 27-55
kg/m(2)). INTERVENTION: A formula-based LCD enriched with 84 g/day of
almonds (almond-LCD; 39% total fat, 25% MUFA and 32% carbohydrate as percent
of dietary energy) or self-selected complex carbohydrates (CHO-LCD; 18%
total fat, 5% MUFA and 53% carbohydrate as percent of dietary energy)
featuring equivalent calories and protein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
Various anthropometric, body composition and metabolic parameters at
baseline, during and after 24 weeks of dietary intervention. RESULTS: LCD
supplementation with almonds, in contrast to complex carbohydrates, was
associated with greater reductions in weight/BMI (-18 vs -11%), waist
circumference (WC) (-14 vs -9%), fat mass (FM) (-30 vs -20%), total body
water (-8 vs -1%) and systolic blood pressure (-11 vs 0%), P=0.0001-0.05. A
62% greater reduction in weight/BMI, 50% greater reduction in WC and 56%
greater reduction in FM were observed in the almond-LCD as compared to the
CHO-LCD intervention. Ketone levels increased only in the almond-LCD group
(+260 vs 0%, P<0.02). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased
in the CHO-LCD group and decreased in the almond-LCD group (+15 vs -6%,
P=0.05). Glucose, insulin, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol,
triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and LDL-C to
HDL-C ratio decreased significantly to a similar extent in both dietary
interventions. Homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)
decreased in both study groups over time (almond-LCD: -66% and
CHO-LCD: -35%, P<0.0001). Among subjects with type 2 diabetes, diabetes
medication reductions were sustained or further reduced in a greater
proportion of almond-LCD as compared to CHO-LCD subjects (96 vs 50%,
respectively) [correction]. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an
almond-enriched LCD improves a preponderance of the abnormalities associated
with the metabolic syndrome. Both dietary interventions were effective in
decreasing body weight beyond the weight loss observed during long-term
pharmacological interventions; however, the almond-LCD group experienced a
sustained and greater weight reduction for the duration of the 24-week
intervention. Almond supplementation of a formula-based LCD is a novel
alternative to self-selected complex carbohydrates and has a potential role
in reducing the public health implications of obesity.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial