Research

Hormonal

Baseline levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) significantly predict the magnitude of weight loss during the first three months of dietary intervention, whereas other inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers do not.

Current blood tests for inflammatory or cardiovascular proteins cannot tell you which diet (low-fat or low-carb) will work best for you. The only protein that showed predictive power for weight loss magnitude was FGF-21, but even that has limited utility for individualized advice. Focus on adherence to a sustainable dietary pattern rather than seeking a predictive blood test.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
However, out of 263 proteins analyzed at baseline, only fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) predicted weight loss, and none helped individualize dietary assignment.
Sylwia M. Figarska et al. · Scientific Reports · 2020

Why this rating

Large randomized trial (N=609) with rigorous statistical correction (FDR < 5%), though replication of the specific prediction was not performed in an independent cohort.

Source

Proteomic profiles before and during weight loss: Results from randomized trial of dietary intervention

Sylwia M. Figarska et al. · Scientific Reports · 2020

DOI 10.1038/s41598-020-64636-7

rct · n=609Cited 45×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →