Untested alternative weight loss diets, such as very low carbohydrate diets, have unsubstantiated efficacy and the potential to adversely affect cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of a very low carbohydrate diet on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects were randomized to 6 months of either an ad libitu...

BACKGROUND Weight regain after weight loss is a common problem for all those obese or overweight who have had a recent weight loss. Different cures such as diet therapy, behavioral therapy, exercise or a mixture of them have been advised as solutions. The purpose of this review is to find the best diet or eating pattern to maintain a recent weight loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS WE SEARCHED IN PU...

Low-carbohydrate diets have re-emerged into the public spotlight and are enjoying a high degree of popularity as people search for a solution to the population's ever-expanding waistline. The current evidence though indicates that low-carbohydrate diets present no significant advantage over more traditional energy-restricted diets on long-term weight loss and maintenance. Furthermore, a higher ...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease in women affecting 5-10% of those of childbearing age. The majority of women with PCOS, regardless of weight, have a form of insulin resistance that is intrinsic to the syndrome. Obese women with PCOS have an added burden of insulin resistance related to their adiposity. Given the association of obesity and insuli...

The effects of low-carbohydrate diets (≤45% of energy from carbohydrates) versus low-fat diets (≤30% of energy from fat) on metabolic risk factors were compared in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Twenty-three trials from multiple countries with a total of 2,788 participants met the predetermined eligibility criteria (from January 1, 1966 to June 20, 2011) and were included in t...

to the editor: The studies by Samaha et al. 1 and Foster et al. 2 (May 22 issue) are intended to expand our knowledge about low-carbohydrate diets. One potential long-term concern about the low-carbohydrate diet is its relatively high protein load and the effect this has on kidneys. This issue is especially important in persons with diabetes, who are more likely than others to have an underlyin...

There are few studies comparing the effects of low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets with low-fat/high-carbohydrate diets for obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. This systematic review focuses on randomized controlled trials of low-carbohydrate diets compared with low-fat/low-calorie diets. Studies conducted in adult populations with mean or median body mass index of > or =28 kg m(-2) were i...