A Minireview on Carbohydrate in Weight Management Diet : The Quantity and the Quality

체중조절 식이에서 탄수화물의 비중 : 그 질과 양

During last few decades dietary guidelines for the weight management mainly have focused on a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate was supposed to be low-dense, highly satiating as well as it affects little on the lipogenesis. Although low-fat diet has significant weight-reducing effect, the loss was modest and usually regained after cessation of the diet. Furthermore, low-fat, modest-carbohydrate diet did not impact on the ever increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Alternative approaches include low-carbohydrate diet, high-carbohydrate diet and low-glycemic index diet. Although none of above mentioned diet have sufficient evidence for standard weight management diet, short-term efficacy and safety are being approved continuously. Low-carbohydrate diet contains less than 45% of carbohydrate in daily energy consumption, it is claimed to have more satiating effect and to improve metabolism. However, low compliance due to the limitation of food choice should be considered on prescribing the diet. High-carbohydrate which contains 90% of carbohydrate in total daily energy consumption, is effective in providing satiety and lowering total calorie intake and cholesterol. On the other hand, nutritional unbalance should be took into account. Low-glycemic index diet is based on the theory that contemporary diet contains significantly less fiber and unrefined carbohydrate, therefore insulin secretion is disturbed. Because low glycemic index food slowly increase blood glucose and insulin level, it induces much satiating effect and may decrease calorie ultimate intake. However, poor standardization of glycemic index is one of the main obstacle for the diet to be applied in the clinic. Meanwhile, high fructose food and beverage should be discouraged because it has little satiating effect and may cause insulin resistance. High fiber food is another recommendation for healthy, lean diet.