Study supports intermittent low-carb diet
Women who are trying to lose weight may benefit from shunning a standard diet regime and adopting an intermediate, low-carbohydrate diet instead, scientists say.A research team at University Hospital in south Manchester recruited 115 women, all of whom had a family history of breast cancer.
Participants followed one of three diets for four months - a low-carb, calorie-restricted diet for two days per week; a low-carb diet with unlimited amounts of protein and healthy fats for two days per week; or standard calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet for seven days per week.
The researchers found that women following one of the intermittent approaches typically lost 4kg in weight and body fat, compared with just 2.4kg for the standard diet.
They presented the findings at a breast cancer symposium in San Antonio, US.
Dr Michelle Harvie, a research dietician at the hospital's Genesis Prevention Centre, said: "Weight loss and reduced insulin levels are required for breast cancer prevention, but [these levels] are difficult to achieve and maintain with conventional dietary approaches.
"It is interesting that the diet that only restricts carbohydrates but allows protein and fats is as effective as the calorie-restricted, low-carbohydrate diet."
Low-carbohydrate diet plans may include meals such as lamb skewers with coleslaw or chicken salad.
