Macro partitioning
A very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) produces greater long-term weight loss compared to a conventional low-fat diet (LFD) in overweight or obese adults, with a weighted mean difference of 0.91 kg favoring VLCKD over 12+ months.
If you are overweight or obese, a very-low-carb ketogenic diet (under 50g carbs/day) leads to slightly more weight loss than a standard low-fat diet over the long term (12+ months). While the difference is small (less than 1kg on average), it is statistically significant. You must be willing to restrict carbohydrates significantly.
Individuals assigned to a VLCKD achieve a greater weight loss than those assigned to a LFD in the long term; hence, a VLCKD may be an alternative tool against obesity.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 13 RCTs with long-term follow-up, though some risk of bias exists.
Source
Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet <i>v.</i> low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Nassib Bezerra Bueno et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2013
DOI 10.1017/s0007114513000548
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