When it comes to weight loss claims, do your research!
“A low-carbohydrate diet helped overweight adults who had lost 12% of their body weight burn more calories during weight maintenance, compared with those on a high-carb diet, according to a study presented at ObesityWeek and published in The BMJ. Researcher David Ludwig said the data show the type of calories people eat may affect how many calories are burned independent of body weight, which could affect the long-term success of weight-loss treatment.”- MedPage Today (11/14/18)
Without even looking at specific research studies, let’s reason through some logical explanations as to why the above quote is true…
Do we think it’s because many prone to over-eat carbs (moreso than protein or fat), so by adhering to a low-carb diet people are less likely to demonstrate this behavior?
Or is it because more of these individuals’ calories are now coming from protein, which sustains muscles mass and thus speeds up their resting metabolic rate (at rest, muscle mass burns more fat than does fat)?
Do we think it’s because individuals on a low-carb diet are likely eating greater amounts of lean protein and healthy fats, thus keeping themselves better-satiated and less likely to binge on carbs due to extreme hunger?
Or is it because those on a low-carb diet are likely consuming less sugar, since sugar is more likely to hide in carb-rich products?
Honestly, the true explanation behind the above statement is likely due to a combination of many factors. It would shock me if the four factors above were not part of the mix. Whenever you hear a health/weight loss claim, I encourage you to go back to the basics when discerning whether or not the claim holds much merit. If you can reason through numerous sound, scientific principles that would support the presented theory, that is often strong enough evidence to suggest that the information is true. If you are uncertain as to how the presented conclusion is possible, I encourage you to delve deeper into the finer details of the research on which the conclusion is based. Always keep your critical lenses on. Think logically rather than radically! 😊