Macro partitioning
Low-carbohydrate/high-protein (LC/HP) diets produce significantly greater short-term weight loss (6 months) compared to low-fat/low-calorie (LF/HC) diets, although this advantage diminishes by 12 months.
If you are obese (BMI 28+), a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet is likely to help you lose more weight in the first 6 months than a standard low-fat, calorie-restricted diet. While the difference narrows by 12 months, the initial advantage and higher adherence (lower dropout) make LC/HP a strong first-line strategy for rapid weight reduction.
The WMD in weight change was -4.02 kg in favour of the LC/HP group at 6 months (P < 0.00001). At 12 months this difference had fallen to only -1.05 kg (P < 0.05).
Why this rating
Systematic review of 13 RCTs with significant heterogeneity in protocols but consistent direction of effect for short-term weight loss.
Source
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of low‐carbohydrate vs. low‐fat/low‐calorie diets in the management of obesity and its comorbidities
Michelle Hession et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2008
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2008.00518.x
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