Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Show 1149: Is Cutting Carbs More Important Than Cutting Calories?

New research shows that people use more energy on a low-carb diet. It suggests that people cutting calories should pay attention to which calories they cut.
Current time

Is Cutting Carbs More Important Than Cutting Calories?

0% played% buffered
Duration

The diet wars have been raging for years. Each side has ardent proponents–those who insist that a low-fat diet is the best way to control weight and those who are convinced that a low-carb diet is better have had a hard time finding common ground. Even those who endorse a more moderate approach can be emphatic about pushing their perspective, particularly those who insist that the only route is cutting calories and increasing activity.

Why Cutting Carbs May Be More Important Than Cutting Calories:

In November, 2018, The BMJ published a study showing that a low-carb diet was effective for maintaining weight loss. But that’s not all: the research showed that people eating fewer carbs had higher energy expenditure. This lent support to the low-carb crowd.

The Carbohydrate-Insulin Model:

Dr. David Ludwig, a principal investigator of the study, has written previously about “The Carbohydrate-Insulin Model of Obesity–Beyond ‘Calories In, Calories Out.’” His essay was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. He explains why refocusing on reducing carbohydrate intake rather than simply calories may be more effective for long-term weight control.

Dietary Fat–Friend or Foe?

In November, the journal Science published a commentary by Dr. Ludwig and three other nutrition scientists with widely different perspectives. In it, they reviewed the evidence on low-fat and low-carb diets and outlined where they found consensus and where there is still significant controversy.

Are all calories equal? The proponents of simply cutting calories count on it. But while this may be a basic law of physics, humans are not machines. The new research suggests that the relationship between calories, metabolism and weight may be more complicated.

This Week’s Guest:

David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, is co-director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and a professor of nutrition at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Dr. Ludwig has written three books for the public, including Ending the Food Fight, Always Hungry? and the cookbook Always Delicious. You may also enjoy reading his recent piece in the LA Times.

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.

Buy the CD

Download the mp3

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.6- 30 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.