Scientists at Stanford University have discovered biomarkers associated with sustained weight maintenance after weight loss and that may help develop personalized weight loss diets. The research was published in the journal Cell Report Medicine.
The study included 609 people who recorded all the food they ate and exercise data for the year. At the same time, they followed a diet low in fat or carbohydrates.
The study found that simply cutting calories or exercising is not enough to maintain weight after weight loss. People who consumed the same amount of calories both gained and maintained their weight.
Scientists have identified several biomarkers that predict how successfully a person will lose weight and maintain it over the long term, even before they lose weight. These biomarkers are associated with the vital activity of gut bacteria.
Another important indicator was the respiratory coefficient – the ratio of exhaled oxygen to exhaled carbon dioxide. A lower ratio means the body burns more fat, and a higher ratio means it burns more carbohydrates. People with a high respiratory quotient at the start of the study lost more weight on a low-carb diet. So if a person’s body prefers carbohydrates, it will be easier for them to lose weight on a low-carb diet.
The scientists’ results, if confirmed, could form the basis of personalized diets for weight loss. Until then, the authors noted, the focus should be on consuming high-quality, unprocessed foods that are low in refined flour, sugar, and saturated fat.