title: Effects of low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-carbohydrate diets are popular for weight loss, but their cardiovascular effects have not been well-studied, particularly in diverse populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet compared with a low-fat diet on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, parallel-group trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00609271).
  
  
  METHODS
  A large academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  148 men and women without clinical cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A low-carbohydrate (<40 g/d) or low-fat (<30% of daily energy intake from total fat [<7% saturated fat]) diet. Both groups received dietary counseling at regular intervals throughout the trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on weight, cardiovascular risk factors, and dietary composition were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty participants (82%) in the low-fat group and 59 (79%) in the low-carbohydrate group completed the intervention. At 12 months, participants on the low-carbohydrate diet had greater decreases in weight (mean difference in change, -3.5 kg [95% CI, -5.6 to -1.4 kg]; P = 0.002), fat mass (mean difference in change, -1.5% [CI, -2.6% to -0.4%]; P = 0.011), ratio of total-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mean difference in change, -0.44 [CI, -0.71 to -0.16]; P = 0.002), and triglyceride level (mean difference in change, -0.16 mmol/L [-14.1 mg/dL] [CI, -0.31 to -0.01 mmol/L {-27.4 to -0.8 mg/dL}]; P = 0.038) and greater increases in HDL cholesterol level (mean difference in change, 0.18 mmol/L [7.0 mg/dL] [CI, 0.08 to 0.28 mmol/L {3.0 to 11.0 mg/dL}]; P < 0.001) than those on the low-fat diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of clinical cardiovascular disease end points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low-carbohydrate diet was more effective for weight loss and cardiovascular risk factor reduction than the low-fat diet. Restricting carbohydrate may be an option for persons seeking to lose weight and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  National Institutes of Health.
authors.forename: Lydia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bazzano
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Calynn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bunol
authors.forename: Yanxi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chung-Shiuan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Klag
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Whelton
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003404:Creatinine