Macro partitioning
Energy-restricted very low-carbohydrate ketogenic (VLCK) diets produce greater total fat loss and trunk fat loss than low-fat (LF) diets in overweight men and women, with a more pronounced effect in men.
If you are overweight and want to maximize fat loss, especially abdominal fat, a very low-carbohydrate diet (under 10% carbs) is likely more effective than a standard low-fat diet, even if you eat slightly more calories. This benefit is strongest in men but also present in women. Monitor your ketones to ensure you are in the target range.
Both between and within group comparisons revealed a distinct advantage of a VLCK over a LF diet for weight loss, total fat loss, and trunk fat loss for men... The majority of women also responded more favorably to the VLCK diet, especially in terms of trunk fat loss.
Why this rating
Randomized crossover design with a small sample size (n=28) and short duration (30-50 days).
Source
Comparison of energy-restricted very low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets on weight loss and body composition in overweight men and women
JS Volek et al. · Nutrition & Metabolism · 2004
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