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The results revealed that the macronutrient composition of the prescribed calorie controlled diets did not affect weight, waist circumference, or other health outcomes among the participants. The study followed adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 39.9 for 2 years. The POUNDS LOST study used a computerized tracking system to test the effectiveness of four macronutrient diets for weight loss. The researchers concluded that there was no significant difference between the two diets.
The average weight loss was 5.3 kilograms (kg) for the low fat diet and 6 kg for the low carb diet. Scientists are continuously attempting to find out how macronutrients affect a person’s health and weight.įor example, the researchers behind the DIETFITS study randomly allocated adults to either a healthful low fat diet or a healthful low carb diet.Īfter a year, the scientists assessed how much weight the participants had lost. Some popular diets provide recipes so that a person can easily make meals that stick to the diet’s macronutrient ratios. People can track their macronutrient intake using fitness and diet apps. However, it may also have negative implications for cardiovascular health.
However, there is no conclusive evidence regarding whether or not this diet is beneficial for the general population.Ī 2018 review indicated that this diet can lower blood glucose, which may be helpful in diabetes and for overall health. The ketogenic, or keto, diet has gained popularity in recent years. People do not usually track micronutrients in these diets, so they may wish to take note of which vitamins and minerals they need according to guidelines and make sure that they are including these. Some popular diets that use this method include:Įach diet has its own rules regarding the quantity or percentage of macronutrients a person should eat. Advocates of such diets claim that this is an effective way for people to lose weight, reduce fat, or gain muscle. Some diets focus on the amount of macronutrients a person consumes, rather than just the calories.