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MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A low-calorie lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (VD<\/sub>) and a low-calorie Mediterranean diet (MedD) are similarly effective for reducing body weight, body mass index, and fat mass for overweight omnivores, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in Circulation<\/i>.<\/p>\n Francesco Sofi, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Florence in Italy, and colleagues randomized overweight omnivores with a low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk profile to a low-calorie VD<\/sub> or a low-calorie MedD, each lasting three months, in a crossover trial. One hundred eighteen individuals were enrolled; 84.7 percent completed the study.<\/p>\n The researchers found that there were no differences in body weight between the two diets, with similar and significant reductions for VD<\/sub> (\u22121.88 kg) and MedD (\u22121.77 kg). For body mass index and fat mass, the results were similar. Significant differences were seen between the two interventions for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (9.10 mg\/dL), triglycerides (12.70 mg\/dL), and vitamin B12<\/sub> (32.32 pg\/mL) levels. There was no significant between-group difference in oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines, except for interleukin-17, which improved only in the MedD group. The target values for one or more cardiovascular risk factor were achieved by 46 and 35 participants during the VD<\/sub> and MedD periods, respectively.<\/p>\n “VD<\/sub> was more effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, whereas MedD led to a greater reduction in triglyceride levels,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n