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Treatment of the Obese Patient pp 299–310Cite as

Low-Carbohydrate Diets

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Traditionally, the gold standard for obesity treatment has been the combination of a low-fat, low-calorie diet with regular physical activity and behavior therapy. This combination has been shown to be safe and effective; however, the best dietary approach to weight loss continues to be a matter of debate among professionals and the public alike. Preliminary short-term findings suggesting that low-carbohydrate diets are effective in reducing body weight and do not appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease have generated interest in the low-carbohydrate approach and have spawned further research. This chapter reviews the most recent findings from short- and long-term studies evaluating the effects of low-carbohydrate diets on weight, lipids, lipoprotein subfractions, inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

    Angela P. Makris PhD, RD & Gary D. Foster PhD

Authors
  1. Angela P. Makris PhD, RD
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  2. Gary D. Foster PhD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

    Robert F. Kushner MD

  2. Division of Endocrinology, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO

    Daniel H. Bessesen MD

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Makris, A.P., Foster, G.D. (2007). Low-Carbohydrate Diets. In: Kushner, R.F., Bessesen, D.H. (eds) Treatment of the Obese Patient. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-400-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-400-1_15

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-735-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-400-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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