The Skinny on popular diets. Get in the know.
This study looked at four popular weight loss fads, including juicing, fasting, paleo diets, and interval training.
Juicing or detox diets work due to a very low calorie intake. Intermittent fasting and paleo diets are also calorie restrictive. Studies show short bursts of high intensity training work best for fat loss and improvements in cardiovascular health. In general, to lose fat, calorie restriction will work but you should find the method of calorie restriction you can stick with. In general, the best type of exercise is high intensity interval workouts.
Although these diets can lead to short term weight loss, the frustrating truth is that they seldom lead to weight loss in the long term. For those seeking long term weight loss, a permanent lifestyle change seems to be the most effective.
The Research
Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2017 Nov 9;19(12):61. doi: 10.1007/s11894-017-0603-8.
Popular Weight Loss Strategies: a Review of Four Weight Loss Techniques.
Obert J1, Pearlman M2, Obert L3, Chapin S4.
1 Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Louisville, Louisville, USA. jobert01@gmail.com.
2 Digestive and Liver Disease, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
3 Spalding University, 901 S 4th St, Louisville, KY, USA.
4 Galen College of Nursing, 2606 River Green Cir, Louisville, KY, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
The purpose of this paper is to review the epidemiology of obesity and the most recent literature on popular fad diets and exercise regimens that are used for weight loss. The weight loss plans that will be discussed in this article include juicing or detoxification diets, intermittent fasting, the paleo diet, and high intensity training.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Despite the growing popularity of fad diets and exercise plans for weight loss, there are limited studies that actually suggest these particular regimens are beneficial and lead to long-term weight loss. Juicing or detoxification diets tend to work because they lead to extremely low caloric intake for short periods of time, however tend to lead to weight gain once a normal diet is resumed. Both intermittent fasting and the paleo diet lead to weight loss because of overall decreased caloric intake as well. Lastly, studies on short bursts of high intensity training have shown remarkable weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular health. Review of the literature does suggest that some fad diets and exercise plans do lead to weight loss; however, the studies are quite limited and are all based on the concept of caloric restriction.
