CHICAGO -- You've heard all about those low-carb diets. But how about a high-carb diet that would allow you to lose weight without exercise?

SURVEY Would you try a high-carb diet? Yes, it sounds perfect for me. Sure, if there was more evidence that it worked. No, I doubt it could actually work. No, I'm not looking for a diet. Results  |  Disclaimer

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences say their small study group of 34 older men and women lost an average of 7 pounds on a high-carb diet after three months -- without counting calories. Dieters lost even more if they exercised.

The findings are published in Monday's issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Lead author William Evans speculates the body metabolizes fats and carbohydrates very differently.

But there are a lot questions in the medical community about the high-carb diet. Gary Foster, of the University of Pennsylvania's Weight and Eating Disorders Program, said a high-carb diet without calorie reduction would be "a public health disaster."

Study Abstract