Energy balance
Weight loss magnitude is strongly correlated with improvements in C-reactive protein, insulin, and total/HDL cholesterol ratio, regardless of the specific diet followed.
You do not need to follow a specific 'anti-inflammatory' diet to lower your C-reactive protein or insulin levels. The study shows that these markers improve as a direct result of weight loss, regardless of whether you choose a low-carb or low-fat approach. Focus on losing weight through a sustainable diet, and your inflammation and insulin sensitivity will improve as a consequence.
For each diet, decreasing levels of total/HDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and insulin were significantly associated with weight loss (mean r=0.36, 0.37, and 0.39, respectively) with no significant difference between diets (P=.48, P=.57, P=.31, respectively).
Why this rating
RCT design, but correlation does not prove causation, and high attrition may skew results.
Source
Comparison of the Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers, and Zone Diets for Weight Loss and Heart Disease Risk Reduction
Michael L. Dansinger et al. · JAMA · 2005
DOI 10.1001/jama.293.1.43
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