Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) are popular and gained considerable attention, as they hold the promise for promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health. LCDs, include diets such as ketogenic diets with only 5% to 10% of energy from carbohydrates, have led to favorable short-term weight changes.
A recent cohort study suggests LCDs that emphasized high-quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates from whole grains and other healthy plant-based foods were significantly associated with slower weight gain in the long term. In contrast, LCDs emphasizing animal-sourced proteins and fats or refined carbohydrates were associated with faster weight gain. This study is published JAMA Network.
The associations of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) with long-term weight management remains unclear, and the source and quality of macronutrients within LCDs are less explored.
To prospectively examine associations between changes in LCD indices and weight change among US adults.
Researchers designed a prospective cohort study included initially healthy participants at baseline from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS; 1986-2010), Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII; 1991-2015), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; 1986-2018). Data analysis was performed between November 2022 and April 2023. Five LCD indices were examined: (1) a total LCD (TLCD) emphasizing overall lower carbohydrate intake; (2) an animal-based LCD (ALCD) that emphasized animal-sourced protein and fat; (3) a vegetable-based LCD (VLCD) that emphasized plant-sourced protein and fat; (4) a healthy LCD (HLCD) emphasizing less refined carbohydrates, more plant protein, and healthy fat; and (5) an unhealthy LCD (ULCD) emphasizing less healthful carbohydrates, more animal protein, and unhealthy fat. The outcome of interest was 4-year changes in self-reported body weight.
The key findings of the study are
A total of 123 332 participants (mean [SD] age, 45.0 [9.7] years; 103 320 [83.8%] female) were included in this study. The median carbohydrate intake (as a percentage of energy) of the highest quintiles of TLCD score at baseline ranged from 38.3% in HPFS to 40.9% in NHSII. Mean weight gain over 4-year intervals…
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