Are low carb diets better for weight loss? Are they easier to stick to in the long term? A huge compilation of current research was evaluated and here are the cliff notes which you need to be aware of if you want to have the most up to date knowledge of dieting. - The research looked at how low carbohydrate diets compare to diets with the same caloric intake. This is to understand whether the low carb aspect had a beneficial effect or if it was simply due to the number of calories they were eating. - 19 randomised controlled trials qualified for use with a total of 3209 participants. Here are the important, take home messages; - Weight loss was shown irrespective of whether it was a low carb diet or not. - In terms of weight loss, there appears to be little difference in following a low carb diet when compared to a standard diet with the same number of calories. - In terms of health markers (HDL, LDL and total cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose) there also appears to be little difference in following a low carb diet when compared to a standard diet with the same number of calories. In short, low carbohydrate diets showed no significant benefit over standard, calorie controlled diets in terms of weight loss or improved health markers. An interesting thing to note is that dietary adherence diminished in both diets and declined even further over time. This implies that people struggle to stay on any particular diet for any significant length of time irrespective of whether it is a low carb diet or not. So; - Calories are the most important factor for governing weight loss. - Low carb diets dont appear to offer any additional benefit. - Dietary adherence is something that people struggle to stick with irrespective of the diet type. If there is no difference in weight loss between low carb and moderate dietary approaches I would strongly urge you to continue with the diet which you personally are going to find it easiest to stick with. Reference: Low Carbohydrate versus Isoenergetic Balanced Diets for Reducing Weight and Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi/10.1371/journal.pone.0100652#pone-0100652-g001
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:30:00 +0000
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