A Very High Fiber Diet Versus a Low-carbohydrate Diet for Weight Loss

A Very High Fiber Diet Versus a Low-carbohydrate Diet for Weight Loss in Obese Individuals With or Without Type 2 Diabetes

Using a 2x2 complete factorial design, approximately 140 obese men and women who may or may not have type 2 diabetes will be randomized to one of two conditions (70 in each condition): (a) a high fiber diet, or (b) a low-carbohydrate diet. Participants will be instructed to follow their assigned diets for 1 year. Outcome measures of interest will include participants' BMI, waist circumference, blood lipids (total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides), C-reactive protein, and gastrointestinal peptides. Participants will be recruited from the Loma Linda and San Bernardino city area in southern California.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI 30.0-42.0 kg/m2
• English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Acute or chronic infection
• Type 1 diabetes
• Participation in another trial
• Active cancers
• Currently using Byetta
• Currently on weight loss medication
• Weight loss of more than 4 lbs. within the last 3 months
• Vegan
• Active eating disorder
• Gastrointestinal problems that may be worsened by a high fiber intake