Obesity has become a concern of epidemic proportion involving globally both children and adults. Although genetically linked, lack of physical activity and the outstanding growing of the food market are the main behavioral causes of obesity. Furthermore, it is related to several diseases which may impair the life quality, but also lead to death. Atkins nutritional approach has become really popular since the publication of Dr Atkins’ first book “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution” in 1972. This approach, although very criticized by some dieticians, has been used as a model for a lot of high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that are nowadays widely used.
The evidence that obese people experience a more adverse outcome in a medical and surgical Intensive Care Unit, compared with nonobese pairs, has risen the issue of the importance of an appropriate feeding. Could obese people benefit from a high-protein diet? Is this approach related to adverse effects? Can a highprotein diet bring benefits to obese patients
A VERY LOW CALORIES PROTEINATED DIET
Aim. The very low calorie proteinated diet
essentially supplies low content of carbohydrates
and lipids, but higher proteins intake
to produce quick weight loss.
Methods. We selected 30 patients with Body
Mass Index (BMI) 30-50 submitted to a high
protein-low calories diet for 40 days; the calories
supplied were in the range of 800-1200
accordingly to individual workload, and urgent
weight loosing needs.
Results. After 40 diet days we observed in
all the patients definite weight loss and improvements
of glycemia, cretinine, triglycerides,
cholesterol, VLDL, HDL. Systolic and
diastolic blood pressure in hypertense cases
decreased significantly.
Conclusion. Very low calorie diet is effective
to reduce the weight before surgery, with a
very physiologic approach in terms of microenvironment,
electrolyte balance, lean mass
preservation and absence of weakness and
hunger. Thus, it is an excellent pre- surgery
conditioning, it helps wound healing and patients postoperative recovery.
Una nuova filosofia per il trattamento del sovrappeso e dell'obesità
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