Low fat diets not effective at lowering weight

Saturday, March 4, 2006

Thank you for your Feb. 16 coverage of calcium and vitamin D, as well as previous coverage of breast cancer risk with a low fat diet based on the Women's Health Initiative study.

Both articles do not emphasize that these women were also on estrogen and progesterone.

The first article on a low fat diet would more accurately read: "Low fat diets do not decrease breast cancer risk when you are taking hormones known to increase breast cancer risk." The second article would be: "Calcium and vitamin D supplements are less helpful when you are already taking hormones known to increase bone density."

While the Women's Health Initiative study is newsworthy, neither article is particularly helpful for women not currently on hormones.

Studies have shown that the levels of vitamin D necessary for women in climates like Maine are greater than 400 IU, and without vitamin D, calcium is not absorbed. Low fat diets have been shown in multiple studies to be ineffective in lowering overall weight, because dieters consume more of the low fat food and equivalent calories.

The simplistic calories-in-equals-

calories-out approach to dieting is ineffective for the majority of individuals.

Studies show that those who consume very few calories lower their own thyroid hormone levels, and that exercise only lowers thyroid levels further.

A weight loss plan must address thyroid, liver and adrenal issues as well as calories. Decreasing body fat while not taking hormones has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk.

Christopher Maloney

Augusta

Editor's note: Christopher Maloney is a Naturopathic Physician.