A low-carb diet similar to the Atkins Diet has been shown to help people lose weight. Now a new study compares this approach to a low-fat diet in combination with the diet drug orlistat. This medication is found in the prescription drug Xenical and the OTC weight loss pill Alli.
In this trial, 146 overweight people were randomized to one of the two regimens for almost a year. Both groups lost nearly 10 percent of their body weight. The low-carb dieters had lower blood pressure at the end of the study. This compared to a slight increase in blood pressure among the low-fat, pill-taking dieters.
The authors conclude that the low carbohydrate diet was just as effective as the low-fat diet plus orlistat for reducing weight, blood sugar and blood fats. It was more effective for lowering blood pressure.
