Mixed
Commercially available very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) with intensive behavioral support produce significantly greater weight loss and cardiovascular risk improvement than low-carbohydrate/high-protein (LCHP) diets in obese patients who fail to respond to standard low-fat diets.
If you have a BMI over 35 and standard dieting hasn't worked, a medically supervised very low-calorie diet (VLCD) combined with weekly group support is significantly more effective for weight loss than a low-carb diet. The key to success is not just the low calories, but the structured support and counseling provided by the program. Expect to lose significant weight (over 15kg on average in this study) if you stick with the program for 9 months.
Significantly greater weight loss was seen for patients on the LL than the LCHP at 3 (mean (±SD) )11.6 ± 12.9 vs )2.8 ± 4.5 kg, respectively; P < 0.0001) and 9 months ()15.1 ± 21.1 vs )1.9 ± 5.0 kg, respectively; P < 0.0001) after screening.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis, though attrition was high and baseline characteristics differed.
Source
Randomized clinical trial of standard dietary treatment versus a low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diet or the LighterLife Programme in the management of obesity*
Catherine Rolland et al. · Journal of Diabetes · 2009
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