Lose weight on vegan diet

People who eat a plant-based diet are less likely to be overweight or obese, reports the Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine. Worldwide, vegetarian populations experience lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, high
blood pressure, and other life-threatening diseases. This led researchers to investigate the reverse: would a
plant-based diet affect people who were already overweight?

A study was done with A group of 59 overweight and postmenopausal women ages 44 to 73 divided into two groups.
Half ate a low-fat vegan diet (10% fat, 15% protein, 75% carbohydrate) of vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes. The
other half followed a more moderate low-fat diet (30% fat, 15% protein, 55% carbohydrate) based on National
Cholesterol Education Program guidelines.

After 14 weeks, the vegan group lost a mean of 5.8 kg (12.7 pounds) in body weight compared with the control group
that lost a mean of 3.8 kg (8.3 pounds) body weight. The vegan group had significantly greater reductions in body
mass index and waist circumference.

"The study participants following the vegan diet enjoyed unlimited servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and
other healthful foods that enabled them to lose weight without feeling hungry," said Neal Barnard, MD, the lead author.
"As they began to experience the positive effects, weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, the women in the
intervention group became even more motivated to follow the plant-based eating plan
weight loss supplements