Energy balance
Low-carbohydrate diets lead to significant short-term reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference in overweight/obese T2DM patients, but these advantages may attenuate over the long term (6-24 months) compared to balanced low-calorie diets.
You can expect to lose weight, BMI, and waist circumference quickly in the first few months on a low-carb diet. However, do not be discouraged if your weight loss slows down after 6 months; studies show that over the long term, your results will likely be similar to those of any balanced, calorie-controlled diet. The key is sustainability and adherence rather than expecting indefinite rapid loss.
Low-carbohydrate diets also resulted in substantial reductions in... body weight (MD = −3.71)... body mass index (BMI)... and waist circumference... However, evidence from longer-term studies... suggests that the distinctive advantages of low-carbohydrate diets in reducing body weight and BMI may attenuate over time, with outcomes converging toward those of balanced low-calorie diets
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 17 RCTs, but heterogeneity was high for weight outcomes (I2=68%).
Source
The effects of low-carbohydrate diet on glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight or obese patients with T2DM: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Wende Tian et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2024.1516086
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