In the present meta-analysis of randomized controlled
trials comparing low-carbohydrate diets with low-fat diets,
we found that both diets were equally effective at reducing
body weight and waist circumference. Both diets reduced
participants’ blood pressures, total to HDL cholesterol
ratios, and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides,
blood glucose, and serum insulin levels and raised HDL
cholesterol; however, participants on low-carbohydrate
diets had greater increases in HDL cholesterol and greater
decreases in triglycerides but experienced less reduction in
total and LDL cholesterol compared with persons on lowfat
diets.