Comparison of Low Fat and Low Carbohydrate Diets With Respect to Weight Loss and Metabolic Effects

Randomized Parallel Group Comparison on the Influence of a Low Carbohydrate and a Low Fat Hypocaloric 6 Months Diet on Body Weight Reduction, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Variables in Obese Healthy Women and Men.

The investigators will test the hypothesis that a LOW CARB hypocaloric diet will reduce body weight over six months more than a LOW FAT hypocaloric diet. In addition to body weight, the investigators will measure cardiovascular and metabolic variables and will take blood samples in order to determine whether certain metabolites may predict the diet success.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body Mass Index > 27 kg/m2
• No chronic medication (except oral contraceptives and L-Thyroxine) or possibility to stop medication for study duration
• Able to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy and nursing
• Severe cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hepatic or orthopedic disease that need treatment
• Metabolic or endocrine disease that need treatment
• Hypertension blood pressure > 160/95 mmHg or need of > 2 drugs
• Previous stroke or cerebral ischemia
• Significant neurologic or psychiatric disease
• Any kind of eating disorder
• Bariatric surgery in the past
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Any cancer in the past
• Acute and chronic infections
• Metallic implants (e.g. pace makers) or conditions that do not allow MRI scans
• Body weight > 130 kg