Study group participants increased the amount of protein they ate daily to about 0.73 grams per pound of body weight and reduced their intake of carbohydrates to 0.95 grams per pound of body weight.

The control group ate according to the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, consuming approximately 0.36 grams of protein and 1.3 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight per day.

They also built their diets around high quality proteins, which provided the optimal level of leucine to improve body composition. Leucine has been shown to be a regulator of muscle, which is important to maintain when losing weight.

While the body makes many other amino acids, it does not produce leucine, so people need to consume foods that contain it. Leucine is found primarily in high quality protein foods such as beef, dairy products, poultry, fish and eggs.

Layman also cautions that it would be a mistake to think about dietary protein as a percent of calories. "What is important about my plan," he said, "is that protein needs are based on body weight and not on a percent of the calories consumed."

Calorie Control  Dietary Supplements  Genes And Weight Gain  Obesity Statistics  Protein Rich Diets  Yogurt   Women Over 40

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