Nutr Metab: How do older people lose weight? Scientists have found that this method of weight loss may be worth a try.

Insulin resistance and the build-up of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and intercular adipose tissue (IMAT) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in obese older adults.
recommends a calorie-restrictive diet for obese people to reduce fat levels and improve metabolic health.
, however, some studies have shown that significant weight loss through calorie restriction leads to lower resting metabolism and reduced lean tissue, which may lead to accelerated physical decline in older people.
, weight-loss advice for older people remains controversial.
A new study published by researchers at the University of Alabama's Birmingham Center for Nutritional Obesity Research suggests that a diet low in carbohydrate levels (VLCD) may be a way to promote the loss of visceral and skeletal muscle fat without affecting lean tissue, and to improve insulin sensitivity in obese older adults.
randomized clinical trials showed that an 8-week VLCD diet improved body composition, fat distribution and metabolic health.
results were published in Nutrition and Metabolism.
DOI: 10.1186/s12986-020-00481-9 Specifically, the researchers will include 34 obese men and women between the ages of 60 and 75 (body mass index (BMI) 30-40 kg /m2) randomly assigned to the VLCD diet (carbohydrate: protein: fat ratio of 10:25:65%) or a low-fat diet (LFD) (55:25:20) for 8 weeks.
At the baseline and after intervention, the body components were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorption (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine fat distribution, insulin clamping technology was used to determine insulin sensitivity and empty-stomach blood test lipids.
results showed that after VLCD and LFD, participants' total fat decreased by an average of 9.7% and 2.0%, respectively.
, VLCD group VAT losses increased approximately threefold compared to the LFD group (-22.8% vs -1.0%, p-lt;0.001), and the thigh IPT decreased even more (-24.4% vs. -1.0%, p-lt;0.01).
the total amount of fat, the VLCD group also significantly increased the thigh skeletal muscle (SM) at 8 weeks.
addition, the VLCD group had a more significant increase in insulin sensitivity and HDL than the LFD group, while the short-term insulin and triglycerides decreased.
The authors of the average change in resting energy consumption in different dietary groups after eating very low carbohydrate and low-fat diets at baseline and after 8 weeks of body composition and fat distribution results at different dietary group baselines and after 8 weeks suggest that decreased insulin secretion and increased fat oxidation after meals may explain bone muscle preservation in the VLCD group.
very low carbohydrate diet leads to an increase in ketones produced by the metabolism of fatty acids, thereby concentrating on reducing the production of liver glucose, as fewer amino acids are mobilized from the muscles as glycogens.
, VLCD may be a safe and effective way to lose weight for older people who are obese and at risk of amyopathy and dysfunction.
, however, further research is needed to explore its possible mechanisms.
Summary, this study demonstrates that weight loss from low-carbohydrate and high-fat diets may benefit obese older adults, providing a unique insight into whether clinical recommendations for high-quality carbohydrate vs fat-limiting diets are effective in improving body composition and fat distribution in obese older adults.
Finally, the editor-in-chief specifically reminds everyone that the physique of the elderly has tended to the aging stage, the metabolic function of the organs tend to slow state, therefore, the elderly want to lose weight, to take a particularly cautious attitude, should be under the guidance of professionals according to their own condition reasonable choice of drugs, exercise or changes in diet methods, and closely monitor the body changes, so as not to cause serious consequences.
.