Low fat, high carb or low carb, high protein? Both of these two popular dietary eating plans can help people lose weight, but which one is actually healthier in the long run?

Researchers at the University of Miami are looking into a long-term study that may help resolve this diet dilemma.

It's the focus of many magazine articles, the basis for best selling books, and eating plans extolling the virtues or vices of fats, carbs and protein.

Dr. Jennifer Marks, a University of Miami researcher says, "Nobody really knows if these diets are good for you or what they do other than help you lose weight."

Marks is heading up a study that she hopes will answer that question. "We are looking at potential effects of high fat or high carbo diets on cardiovascular risk factors that we're able to measure, clinical risk factors."

The researchers created two twelve-week eating plans. Both contain healthy sources proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but in different levels. Interestingly enough participants are urged not to lose weight. Marks says, "If people were losing weight, you wouldn't know whether the outcome was due to weight loss or whether the outcome was due to the diet."

Study participant Beretha Howard was put on the higher protein, lower carbohydrate plan and after 12 weeks her cardiovascular risk profile did improve.

Howard says, "They tested me before and they tested me after and I can't give you all the technical terms but I did improve a lot."

While Howard's participation in the study has ended, she says it gave her a greater understanding of food composition and portion control; benefits she believes will stay with her, no matter what the study outcome is.

The study, which got underway two years ago, is continuing through next year. Researchers are looking for women age's 35-70 who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, also known as insulin resistance syndrome. If you're interested in participating, call (305) 243-6433.