(July 16, 2008 - Insidermedicine) A low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diet may be more beneficial options than a traditional low-fat diet for those who need to lose weight, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some questions to ask when selecting a weight loss program:

•    Does it provide counseling to help you change your eating and lifestyle habits?

•    Is the staff made up of professionals, including doctors, nurses, dieticians, psychologists, or physiologists?

•    Is attention paid to both losing weight and keeping it off?

Researchers out of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel randomly assigned 322 moderately obese participants to a low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate diet. The low-fat and Mediterranean diets were also calorie restricted.

Among those who adhered to the diet for the entire 2-year study, the average weight loss was 3.3 kg for the low-fat group, 4.6 kg for the Mediterranean group, and 5.5 kg for the low-carb group. HDL cholesterol was reduced by 20% in the low-carb group and 12% in the low-fat group.  Among those with diabetes, the condition improved more for those on the Mediterranean diet.

We had a chance to speak to Dr. Iris Shai, who offered some further insight.

Today's research highlights the benefits of a low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean style diet over a traditional low-fat diet. Since all three diets can help with weight loss, personal preferences and other health factors should be addressed.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.