EFN

The Atkins diet is not only a great way to lose weight, but it can also help lower a person’s blood pressure. The diet has had better results than expensive medication designed to lower blood pressure.

The Atkins diet consists in cutting out most carbohydrates. Carbs are usually found in breads, pastas and potatoes. A study that has been published in the January 25th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine explains the positive results achieved by individuals following a low-carb diet.

Dr. William Yancy Jr. with the Duke University Medical Center conducted a study to determine the results between a low-fat diet and prescription medicine and a basic low-carb diet. 146 people with an average age of 52 and an average BMI of 39 were included in the study. The ones given the blood pressure medication orlistat, were put on a low-fat diet.

Both groups successfully lost weight over a 48 week period. The low-carb group lost 9.5 percent of their body weight and those on the low-fat diet lost 8.5 percent of their body weight. 47 percent of the low-carb group lowered their blood pressure with only 21 percent of the low-fat and orlistat medication group lowering their blood pressure.