TDNet Discover

Background: With the rising global prevalence of obesity and risks that are associated with excess body fat, the pursuit of a solution has become the topic of many randomized control trials and systematic reviews. Obesity treatment begins with providing the individual with information and dietary options that will lead sustained weight loss. Objective: This research will assess whether the ketogenic diet, low-fat diet, or low-calorie diet is more effective for long-term weight loss, in adults who are obese, with or without comorbid conditions. Design: Evidence-based systematic review. Methods: A search of the literature was performed using multiple databases including GoogleScholar, PubMed, and Cochran Library, yielding a total of 254 articles. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the search results, three studies were selected that addressed the specific research question including a systematic review, randomized control trial, and evidence-based case report. Results: A randomized control trial (RCT) separated obese patients into two groups, with one group utilizing a ketogenic diet plan while the other implemented a low-calorie plan. At 12 months, there was a reduction of 19.9 ± 12.3 kg for the very-low calorie ketogenic (VLCK) diet, and 7.0 ± 5.6 kg in the low-calorie (LC) group (p=0.0001). The evidence-based case report analyzed an RCT, as well as a systematic review of multiple RCTs, demonstrating the ketogenic diet showed greater weight loss at one year than low-fat diet, with 14.9 +/- 2.1 kg and 11.5 +/- 1.5 kg lost respectively. However, the ketogenic may also increase cardiovascular event risk substantially. A systematic review assessed low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and higher-fat dietary restrictions on three control groups. In weight loss trials, low-carbohydrate interventions led to significant weight reduction (18 comparisons;WMD 1·15 kg [95% CI 0·52 to 1·79];I(2)=10%), while low-fat diets showed little to no difference in weight loss (19 comparisons;WMD 0·36 kg [-0·66 to 1·37;I(2)=82%). Conclusion: All three studies demonstrated the ketogenic diet has a greater increase in weight loss than the low-fat or low-calorie approach in obese patients after one year of implementation. Additionally, regardless of comorbid conditions such as endocrine disorders, hepatic insufficiency, uncontrolled hypertension, or hydro electrolyte alterations, patients still experienced a greater reduction in total kilograms on the ketogenic diet than both the low-fat and low-calorie diets. However, while the ketogenic diet is superior in weight-loss, it has been shown to have a substantive risk in cardiovascular anomalies with health experts recommending ceasing the diet after 6-12 months of continued use.