Do low-carb diets work?

Low-carb diets are effective for weight loss. In the short term, low-carb diets are more effective than low-fat diets. After 12 to 24 months, people on low-carb diets tend to lose weight at about the same rate as people on low-fat diets.

Including more protein in a low-carb diet increases the beneficial effects slightly. In addition to promoting weight loss, low-carb diets can reduce cardiovascular risk factors. When compared to individuals on a low-fat diet, people on a low-carb diet experience greater reductions in triglycerides, improvements to their good cholesterol levels of HDL and improvements in the ratio of good to bad cholesterol in their blood.