Research on Long-Term Weight Loss Outcomes

Impact of Ketogenic Diets on Resting Metabolic Rate

Researchers exploring long-term weight loss outcomes have found that obese patients who followed a ketogenic diet were able to maintain their resting metabolic rate (RMR). Ketogenic diets are characterized by a high intake of fats and proteins coupled with a significant reduction in carbohydrates. This dietary approach is designed to primarily utilize fats as a source of energy.

Understanding Metabolic Adaptation

When individuals undergo energy restriction, often associated with dieting, the body tends to lower its energy expenditure by decreasing the resting metabolic rate. This phenomenon is referred to as metabolic adaptation. RMR represents the energy required for essential bodily functions at rest, including breathing and cognitive operations.

Groundbreaking Research Findings

Recent studies have demonstrated that very low-calorie ketogenic diets can lead to weight loss and aid individuals in sustaining this weight loss for up to two years. Researchers from Spain aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that such diets might produce a neutral response concerning resting metabolic rate, potentially reducing the risk of weight regain. Their findings were published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism.

Sustained Weight Loss with Neutral RMR Response

The low-calorie ketogenic diets implemented in the study resulted in significant weight loss for the obese participants, without the anticipated decrease in resting metabolic rate. The researchers propose that the preservation of lean muscle mass during the diet may have contributed to this neutral RMR response.

Significance of the Study

According to the authors, this research is the first of its kind to directly examine the effects of low-calorie ketogenic diets on the resting metabolic rate among obese individuals. The results indicate that such a diet can effectively maintain normal resting metabolic levels, preserve lean muscle mass, and ultimately prevent metabolic adaptation, which may decrease the likelihood of weight regain.

Reference

Canton, A., Ordoñez-Mayan, L., … Casanueva, F. F. (2018). Resting metabolic rate of obese patients under very low calorie ketogenic diet. Nutrition & Metabolism, 15(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-018-0249-z