The Bogalusa Heart Study will start a new study here in April, according to the study’s program manager and senior research coordinator, Jeanna S. Dawes, RN.

“This will be unique as it will be open to the general population,” she said. “It is a relatively short-term weight loss study called Ideal Protein. We would like to cast our nets far and wide, so that the public can be made aware of this awesome opportunity.

“We are very excited to launch Ideal Protein. We don’t want anyone who may be interested to miss out on the opportunity to better themselves.”

Dawes said that Dr. Lydia Bazzano is “heading up” the new project.

“The Ideal Protein weight loss method is a medically supervised weight loss diet with behavioral counseling and food supplementation, currently being offered by Dr. Steven Ogden at Our Lady of the Angels family medicine clinic on Avenue F,” Bazzano said.

“It is one of the fastest growing weight loss methods in the country and has had very good results. The focus of the method is on maintaining the right amount of protein and reducing sugars in the diet to helping the body’s metabolic system shift to a state where it is burning energy instead of storing it as fat, and weight loss is the result.”

The Ideal Protein company is supporting a clinical trial of their weight loss method as compared to a guidelines-based standard low-fat, low-calorie diet and behavioral counseling, which will be conducted at the Bogalusa Heart Study research clinic. It is open to all persons who are potentially eligible and particpants do not have to be a previous participant in the heart study.

The Heart Study is looking for people who are 22 to 75 years old, overweight, and have at least one other health problem including but not limited to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a protruding belly, pre-diabetes, and who are interested in losing weight.

“We expect to get started in late April or early May and the study will enroll for nine months and our goal is to include 192 people,” Bazzano said. The participants will receive free blood tests, body composition tests, heart and liver tests, regular meetings with study dieticians, and free foods and supplements to support their weight loss.”

Those who are interested in participating can call the Bogalusa Heart Study clinic at 985-735-9861 and leave their name and contact information.

“I have been a staff physician at the Heart Study since 2012 and will serve as the principal investigator for this study, because of my experience conducting successful weight loss studies at Tulane University,” Bazzano said. “On average, everyone loses some weight when supported with this kind of program, whether assigned to the Ideal Protein group or the guidelines-based standard. The study is designed to see if the Ideal Protein system results in more weight loss than the standard recommendations.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer a free program of support for weight loss in Washington Parish. We have been a part of the Bogalusa community for more than 40 years and it’s great to be offering new opportunities to improve the health of men and women in Bogalusa.”