Macro partitioning
A ketogenic diet (KD) significantly reduces body weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, visceral adipose tissue, and percentage body fat compared to low-fat diets in adults, but also causes a small reduction in fat-free and lean body mass.
Adopting a ketogenic diet (high fat, very low carb) for 2-96 weeks leads to significant weight loss, reduced body fat, and improved waist circumference compared to low-fat diets. However, be aware that you may also lose a small amount of lean muscle mass (-0.63 kg). This diet is effective for body recomposition in adults, but long-term adherence can be challenging.
Pooled effect sizes revealed a significant effect of KD on BW (weighted mean differences [WMD]: -2.87 kg...), BMI (WMD: -1.44 kg/m2...), FM (WMD: -1.40 kg...), FFM (WMD: -0.81 kg...), LBM (WMD: -0.63 kg...), WC (WMD: -3.23 cm...), VAT (WMD: -28.91 g...) and PBF (WMD: -2.81 kg...), respectively.
Why this rating
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 RCTs, though heterogeneity was noted.
Source
The effect of ketogenic diet on body composition and anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Mohammad Reza Amini et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · 2021
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