Conclusions Large r and omized controlled trials of at least 6 months duration with carbohydrate restriction appear superior in improving lipid markers when compared with low-fat diets .
Context Carbohydrate-restricted diets may increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and thereby cardiovascular risk .
Objective A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to compare the effects of very low , low , and moderate carbohydrate , higher fat diets versus high-carbohydrate , low-fat diets on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipid markers in overweight/obese adults .
Comparison of a low-fat diet to a low-carbohydrate diet on weight loss, body composition, and risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in free-living, overweight men and women.
Overweight and obese men and women ( 24 - 61 yr of age ) were recruited into a r and omized trial to compare the effects of a low-fat ( LF ) vs. a low-carbohydrate ( LC ) diet on weight loss .  Thirty-one subjects completed all 10 wk of the diet intervention ( retention , 78 % ) . Subjects on the LF diet consumed an average of 17.8 % of energy from fat , compared with their habitual intake of 36.4 % , and had a result ing energy restriction of 2540 kJ/d . Subjects on the LC diet consumed an average of 15.4 % carbohydrate , compared with habitual intakes of about 50 % carbohydrate , and had a result ing energy restriction of 3195 kJ/d . Both groups of subjects had significant weight loss over the 10 wk of diet intervention and nearly identical improvements in body weight and fat mass . LF subjects lost an average of 6.8 kg and had a decrease in body mass index of 2.2 kg/m2 , compared with a loss of 7.0 kg and decrease in body mass index of 2.1 kg/m2 in the LC subjects . The LF group better preserved lean body mass when compared with the LC group ; however , only the LC group had a significant decrease in circulating insulin concentrations . Group results indicated that the diets were equally effective in reducing systolic blood pressure by about 10 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by 5 mm Hg and decreasing plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 bioactivity . Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were increased in the LC only , at the 2- and 4-wk time points . These data suggest that energy restriction achieved by a very LC diet is equally effective as a LF diet strategy for weight loss and decreasing body fat in overweight and obese adults
Conclusions Large r and omized controlled trials of at least 6 months duration with carbohydrate restriction appear superior in improving lipid markers when compared with low-fat diets .
Context Carbohydrate-restricted diets may increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and thereby cardiovascular risk .
Objective A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to compare the effects of very low , low , and moderate carbohydrate , higher fat diets versus high-carbohydrate , low-fat diets on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipid markers in overweight/obese adults .