Roughly 120 overweight or obese patients from the Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in Durham, N.C., volunteered for a study comparing the effects of two different dieting plans—the low-carb, ketogenic diet (LCKD) and a low-fat diet in combination with orlistat (LFD+O), a weight-loss medication.

Sixty-five of the volunteers completed the low-fat diet, eating a diet with less than 30 percent of energy intake from fat and taking 120 mg of orlistat three times daily. Orlistat (Alli, Xenical) is an over-the-counter weight loss aid that can block a significant amount of fat from being absorbed by the digestive system. At the end of the 48-week trial, the group cut 8.5 percent of body fat. Low-carb dieters, on an Atkins-style diet, had similar results, trimming 9.5 percent of body fat.

“Both groups lost considerable weight (on average 21-25 pounds) and experienced numerous health benefits and were able to reduce medications for chronic diseases associated with weight,” explains Dr. William Yancy, Jr., M.D.,  research associate at Durham’s Department of Veterans Affairs and lead author of the study.

Although both plans tied for weight loss and had similar HDL (good cholesterol) improvements, the group of 57 low-carb dieters also had decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 5.9 and 4.5 mm, respectively.

Pre-trial, average body mass index (BMI) was 39.3, and one in three participants had type 2 diabetes. A healthy BMI score for an adult ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. As the scores rises, the risk for complications such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, poor cholesterol and heart disease increases.

Following the study, low-fat dieters enjoyed better LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, while participants on the low-carb diet had improved insulin metabolism, hemoglobin A_1C, and blood glucose levels.

“People with these diseases—hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis—or at risk for these diseases stand to benefit the most (from these diets),” Yancy explains.

There haven't been significant health risks for short-term dieters, but little is known of the effects after six months. Long-term dieters may be at risk for bone loss or kidney stones. In any case, Dr. Yancy urges anyone considering a low-carb, ketogenic diet to consult a physician.

The study's abstract can be found in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Nearly 3,500 Londoners between the ages of 35 and 55 were asked about their eating habits. Analysts were able to detect diet patterns and divide participants into two groups: processed food consumers and “whole food” consumers. Several years later each group was screened for depression. People who regularly ate processed foods had a slightly higher incidence of depression.

“Our results suggest a protective effect of an overall diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish (Mediterranean-style diet) affords protection against the onset of depressive symptoms 5 years later,” study authors explain, “whereas a diet rich in processed meat, chocolates, sweet desserts, fried food, refined cereals and high-fat dairy products increases vulnerability.”

Most processed foods lack the nutrients needed to maintain a happy, healthy body. Not only does it contribute to weight gain, but it can also decrease mental alertness and inhibit normal brain function. This translates into a slew of mood and behavioral changes.

A steady diet of junk food has other risks to consider, too. Authors note that this sort of diet has also been associated with coronary heart disease and inflammation. As many as one in five Americans is affected by depression, and one in three have some form of heart disease. Limiting junk food consumption may be one way to reduce these risks.

This is the first to focus on the effects of how a person’s overall diet may be related to depression. Although further research is needed to fully understand this relationship, cutting back on unhealthy food can benefit the mind, body and spirit.

Read more in The British Journal of Psychiatry.

Information for the study was gathered from six different placebo-controlled studies taking place across a 29-year span. It included data from 718 adult outpatients being treated for minor or major depressive disorder.

“The magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medication compared with placebo increases with severity of depression symptoms,” authors of the study explain, “and may be minimal or nonexistent, on average, in patients with mild or moderate symptoms.”

According to the New York Times, the success rate of placebos in some studies such as this can be as high as 50 percent for individuals with mild to moderate depression. People who continue to use antidepressants do appear to have a lower relapse rate, though—just one-third to one-half that of those taking placebos.

The study has its limitations, however. First of all, its conclusions are based on studies including just two different antidepressants. Another drawback is that, for the purpose of discovering which drugs are most effective, many studies of antidepressant medications exclude people who get better using placebos.

Finally, results may be limited because of the difficulty of finding studies that include people with mild to moderate depression, rather than just those with severe depression. A study with a much larger pool of participants would provide greater insight into the effectiveness of placebos versus antidepressants.

The study is merely suggestive, and neither proves nor disproves the claim that antidepressants are no more effective than placebos. In no way does it mean that someone should stop taking medication prescribed for depression. Rather, it provides something for antidepressant users to consider and discuss with their doctors.

“For patients with very severe depression, the benefit of medications over placebo is substantial,” authors concluded.

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