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 3 ad libitum diets for weight-loss maintenance, risk of cardiovascular disease, and diabetes: a 6-mo randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND The optimal dietary content and type of fat and carbohydrate for weight management has been debated for decades . OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the effects of 3 ad libitum diets on the maintenance of an initial weight loss of > or=8 % and risk factors for CVD and diabetes during a 6-mo controlled dietary intervention . DESIGN Nondiabetic overweight or obese [ mean + /- SD body mass index ( in kg/m(2 ) ) : 31.5 + /- 2.6 ] men ( n = 55 ) and women ( n = 76 ) aged 28.2 + /- 4.8 y were r and omly assigned to a diet providing a moderate amount of fat ( 35 - 45 % of energy ) and > 20 % of fat as monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA diet ; n = 54 ) , to a low-fat ( 20 - 30 % of energy ) diet ( LF diet ; n = 51 ) , or to a control diet ( 35 % of energy as fat ; n = 26 ) . Protein constituted 10 - 20 % of energy in all 3 diets . All foods were provided free of charge from a purpose -built supermarket . RESULTS More subjects dropped out of the MUFA ( 28 % ) group than out of the LF group ( 16 % ) and control group ( 8 % ) ( MUFA compared with control : P < 0.05 ) . All groups regained weight ( MUFA : 2.5 + /- 0.7 kg ; LF : 2.2 + /- 0.7 kg ; and control : 3.8 + /- 0.8 kg ; NS ) . Body fat regain was lower in the LF ( 0.6 + /- 0.6 % ) and MUFA ( 1.6 + /- 0.6 % ) groups than in the control group ( 2.6 + /- 0.5 % ) ( P < 0.05 ) . In the MUFA group , fasting insulin decreased by 2.6 + /- 3.5 pmol/L , the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance by 0.17 + /- 0.13 , and the ratio of LDL to HDL by 0.33 + /- 0.13 ; in the LF group , these variables increased by 4.3 + /- 3.0 pmol/L ( P < 0.08 ) and 0.17 + /- 0.10 ( P < 0.05 ) and decreased by 0.02 + /- 0.09 ( P = 0.005 ) , respectively ; and in the control group , increased by 14.0 + /- 4.3 pmol/L ( P < 0.001 ) , 0.57 + /- 0.17 ( P < 0.001 ) , and 0.05 + /- 0.14 ( P = 0.036 ) , respectively . Dietary adherence was high on the basis of fatty acid changes in adipose tissue . CONCLUSIONS Diet composition had no major effect on preventing weight regain . However , both the LF and MUFA diets produced less body fat regain than did the control diet , and the dropout rate was lowest in the LF diet group , whereas fasting insulin decreased and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and ratio of LDL to HDL improved with the MUFA diet . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00274729
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 .