Ready to uncover the secrets of rapid weight loss? This study dives into the effects of a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on women struggling with obesity. It's a fascinating look at how our bodies respond to extreme dietary changes. Let's explore the findings!
This research, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, examines the impact of a 1-month VLCKD on energy metabolism and body composition. The study, conducted by a team including Alessio Basolo and Ferruccio Santini, involved 17 women with obesity. They followed the VLCKD at the University Hospital of Pisa. The diet consisted of a mere 700-800 calories per day, with a specific macronutrient breakdown: 11% carbohydrates, 46% fat, and 43% protein.
The Goal: To understand how this drastic diet affects the body. Researchers measured energy expenditure and substrate oxidation over 24 hours at three different points: the beginning (V1), day 8 (V2), and day 29 (V3). Body composition was also assessed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A control group of 22 women with obesity followed a balanced, isocaloric diet for comparison.
The Results: A Metabolic Shift
At the start, the VLCKD group showed lower carbohydrate oxidation (CarbOx) and higher fat oxidation (FatOx) and protein oxidation (ProtOx) compared to the control group.
- By the end of the month (V3), CarbOx decreased by a staggering 65%, while FatOx increased by 11%. Protein oxidation remained consistently higher throughout the study.
The Weight Loss Story:
After one month, the women on the VLCKD lost an average of 7% of their body weight. This included an 8.8% reduction in fat mass and a 5.6% reduction in lean soft tissue (LST). But here's where it gets controversial... a 10% decrease in both 24-hour energy expenditure (24hEE) and sleeping metabolic rate was observed at V3 compared to V1.
In Conclusion:
The VLCKD proved effective for weight loss in this group. The study highlights a shift in energy metabolism towards increased fat oxidation, a modest increase in protein oxidation, a decrease in LST, and a reduction in energy expenditure.
What do you think? Does this study change your perspective on very-low-calorie diets? Are you surprised by the changes in energy expenditure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
