The health benefits of fat loss are incredible. For instance, individuals with obesity experience improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity that far outweigh the benefits of exercise. Similar results are seen in adults with type-2 diabetes, and there is also evidence to suggest that fat loss can restore pancreatic beta-cell function and reverse pre-diabetes in mice.

Most recently, Oshakbayev et al investigated how a weight loss program would affect the health of adults with diagnosed atherosclerotic (AS) diseases. This includes any condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. They recruited 71 middle-aged men and women with various clinical manifestations of AS and randomized them into two groups: weight loss or conventional drug therapy.

The weight loss intervention was novel and lasted between 2-6 months depending on the participant. They underwent “analimentarnaya detoxification” that is akin to a prolonged fasting session. For bouts lasting 10-28 days, only 6-8.5 cups of boiled tap water, 150-200 kcal of fibrous vegetables, and 5-6 grams of table salt were allowed to be consumed each day. Each participant underwent 1-2 bouts that were separated by at least one week. Additionally, each participant was required to walk at least 10,000 steps each day.

In contrast to the above, the conventional drug therapy group included – you guessed it – conventional drug therapy. This included hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory medications such as metformin, statins, benzodiazepines, and aspirin. Treatment lasted for 6 months.

Weight loss vs. drugs

The weight loss intervention was highly successful. Every participant in this group lost weight that came entirely from fat mass, as there were no significant changes in fat-free mass, muscle mass, bone mass, or total body water. Specifically, the weight loss ranged between 6-18 kg (7-20% of initial bodyweight), with the average being ~11.5 kg (13%). The group went from being 30% body fat with a BMI of 30, on average, to 20% body fat with a BMI of 26.

The fat loss clearly did its job, as significant reductions in blood pressure, glucose, and lipids were noted in this group, and these changes were significantly greater than those induced by drugs. Additionally, weight loss significantly increased hemoglobin and bone mineral density.

Regressions of AS symptoms were also gradually observed in the weight loss group only. The patients noticed physical relief and an increase in physical and mental workability. Notably, those patients with Leriche’s syndrome (blockage of the arteries supplying the legs) had blood flow to the legs restored and showed an increase in their previously atrophied calf muscles. Those patients with coronary artery disease improved their exercise tolerance and objective electrocardiography indicators of cardiovascular function (increased in ejection fraction and systolic output). Finally, those with cerebral stroke and Alzheimer’s disease noticed a reduction in mental fatigue and an improvement in memory.

You don’t get these benefits with drugs!

Side-effects and sustainability

It is to be expected that eating only salty veggies for upwards of one month will cause some distress. The first couple of days were full of complaints regarding intense feelings of hunger, slight dizziness, weakness, tremors, and a feeling of warmth in the belly-button area.  However, all of these side-effects subsided quickly.

Around one week into the diet, there was an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocyte count in blood samples, and body temperature, all of which indicate that an inflammatory immune response was occurring. This was accompanied by dark and turbid urine, which was owed to increased excretion of organic salts such as oxalates, urates, phosphates, and carbonates of calcium and magnesium. The body was quite literally ridding itself of stored toxins and metabolic waste.

Finally, most of the participants did not regain their weight after a one-year follow-up and there was no recurrence of AS-related symptoms. In those who did regain some of their weight, their previous AS symptoms began to manifest but were reversed once again upon weight loss.

Fasting and fat loss have pronounced benefits

Having an excessive amount of fat tissue is a health risk, with overall mortality increasing roughly 6% for each BMI point over 25. As fat cells grow and accumulate in the obese state, they become dysfunctional and pro-inflammatory. The excessive inflammation they bring about is thought to be a primary mediator of the garden-variety insulin resistance that is common among those with obesity.

There is an intimate relationship between inflammation, insulin resistance, and AS. The reduction of appropriate insulin signaling leads to an excessive provision of lipids from a variety of sources (fatty acids from fat cells and fat-rich lipoproteins from the liver among others) that, in combination with vascular injury from excessive inflammation, hypertension, and elevated blood glucose levels, leads to a build-up of plaque over time. Eventually, an AS disease is observed.

Weight loss has been shown to reduce inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity. It is therefore not surprising that the current study observed marked improvements in patients with AS. Indeed, it appeared that the participants were literally peeing out the toxins and metabolic waste products that accumulated in their fat cells and arterial plaques. Although the current study took a rather extreme approach to diet, the results are impressive.

When considered in combination with the benefits observed in general obesity and type-2 diabetes, maintaining a healthy bodyweight appears prudent. If you are overweight or obese and suffer from some comorbidity, then attempt to lose the excess fat. You may be surprised at what heals.