Composition of weight lost during short-term weight reduction. Metabolic responses of obese subjects to starvation and low-calorie ketogenic and nonketogenic diets

J Clin Invest. 1976 Sep;58(3):722-30. doi: 10.1172/JCI108519.

Abstract

The effects of starvation, an 800-kcal mixed diet and an 800-kcal ketogenic (low carbohydrate-high fat) diet on the composition of weight lost were determined in each of six obese subjects during three 10-day periods. The energy-nitrogen balance method was used to quantify the three measurable components of weight loss; protein, fat, and water. On the 800-kcal ketogenic diet, subjects lost (mean +/- SE) 466.6 +/-51.3 g/day; on the isocaloric mixed diet, which provided carbohydrate and fat in conventional proportions, they lost 277.9+/- 32.1 g/day. Composition of weight lost (percentage) during the ketogenic diet was water 61.2, fat 35.0, protein 3.8. During the mixed diet, composition of loss was water 37.1, fat 59.5, protein 3.4...

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Basal Metabolism
  • Body Composition
  • Body Water / metabolism
  • Body Weight*
  • Creatinine / urine
  • Diet, Reducing*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Dietary Proteins / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ketone Bodies / biosynthesis*
  • Ketones / urine
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Physical Exertion
  • Starvation / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Ketone Bodies
  • Ketones
  • Creatinine
  • Nitrogen