To Perfect Body

  This has always been the difficult question regarding the plans. If you ask ten experts, there are chances that you get ten different answers to the question that anyone wishing to lose weight arises: what is the best diet? Should renounce fat? Should reduce carbs? Should promote protein? How should eat properly to lose weight effectively and healthily? Scientists at the American University Harvard focused on this issue and come to the following conclusion: only the amount of calories consumed is crucial.

  Harvard is actually an elite university because it has significant financial resources than any other high school dream to have. It was felt in this study on the different types of plans: instead of last year, as is the case most of the time, research at Harvard for two years. 811 people attended, all around 50 years and all overweight (mean BMI: 33).



  The participants were divided into different groups, each performing a different regime.

Group # 1: "Low-fat, average protein" fat reduced to 20%
Group # 2: "Low-fat, high protein" fat reduced to 20% and protein content increased to 25%
Group # 3: "high-fat, average protein": up to 40% of the energy in fat.
Group # 4: "high-fat, high protein" carbohydrate reduced to 35%.


  All groups are subject to the following rules:
  Reduced energy intake of 750 calories per day
food to maintain the cardiovascular system (small amount of saturated fat, low-cholesterol, preferably cereal products, fruits and vegetables)
90 minutes of sport per week

  The study has highlighted the issue of all plans: during the first six months of weight loss in all groups is an average of 6 pounds. After two years the majority of participants (given that only 80% held out until the end) regained a few pounds. Weight loss by an average starting weight was only 4 pounds. Only 15% of participants who followed the diet until the end, lost 10% of their weight, which corresponds to the objectives that scientists had set.

  With regard to weight loss, the study showed that no significant differences between the different types of plans. However there has been a change in cholesterol based diets: the regime "low-fat" has reduced the rate of 5% cholesterol diet and "high-fat" of only 1%. The scientists then found that the most critical in a regime was the type of food, ie food protective cardiovascular system. Indeed there has been a sharp decline in the risk of cardiovascular disease among participants. If we refer to the Harvard study, we can deduce that we can choose any plan. However, it is essential to follow the diet program and choose foods that protect the cardiovascular system.

  Only calories count! Does that surprise you? Apparently what we eat is not the most decisive is the caloric value.