Research

Macro partitioning

Low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) and low-fat diets (LFD) produce statistically similar long-term weight loss, although LCDs yield faster initial loss.

If you are choosing between low-carb and low-fat for weight loss, expect similar results after one year. Low-carb might help you drop weight faster in the first few months, but low-fat is often easier to sustain socially and culturally. Choose the one you can stick to long-term, as the long-term weight loss difference is negligible.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Studies like Gardner et al. (2018) and Shai et al. (2008) showed similar efficacy of LCD and LFD in long-term weight loss, despite faster initial loss in LCDs.
Ana Carolina Marion Cavicchioli et al. · Brazilian Journal of Health Review · 2024

Why this rating

Based on a review of multiple RCTs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses (Nordmann, Gardner, Shai).

Source

Dieta de baixo carboidrato vs dieta de baixa gordura: uma análise geral

Ana Carolina Marion Cavicchioli et al. · Brazilian Journal of Health Review · 2024

DOI 10.34119/bjhrv7n1-524

narrative_review
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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