Effects of Low-Carbohydrate and Low-Fat Diets

Background: Low-carbohydrate diets are popular for weight loss, but their cardiovascular effects have not been well-studied, partic-ularly in diverse populations. Objective: To examine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet com-pared with a low-fat diet on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors. Design: A randomized, parallel-group trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00609271) Setting: A large academic medical center. Participants: 148 men and women without clinical cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Intervention: 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