Systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Obesity (n=1141). Intervention: Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) vs. Baseline / pre-diet values. Primary outcome: Body weight and cardiovascular risk factors (MD -7.04 kg (body weight), 95% CI -7.20 to -6.88).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Low-carbohydrate diets significantly reduce body weight, blood pressure, and major cardiovascular risk factors while increasing HDL cholesterol in obese individuals. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Filipe Lima Santos; Simão Esteves; William S. Yancy; José Pedro L. Nunes

doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2012.01021.x

August 21, 2012Obesity Reviews

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key result

Low-carbohydrate diets reduce body weight by ~7 kg and improve cardiometabolic risk factors in obesity.

MD -7.04 kg (body weight)
95% CI -7.20 to -6.88
n=1,141

Key Points

To assess the effects of low-carbohydrate diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors across published clinical trials.
Systematic search conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases.
Identified 23 reports corresponding to 17 clinical investigations, pooling data from 1,141 obese patients for meta-analysis.
Low-carbohydrate diet was associated with significant reductions in body weight (-7.04 kg [95% CI -7.20 to -6.88]), body mass index (-2.09 kg/m² [95% CI -2.15 to -2.04]), and abdominal circumference (-5.74 cm [95% CI -6.07 to -5.41]).
Significant improvements occurred in systolic blood pressure (-4.81 mm Hg [95% CI -5.33 to -4.29]), diastolic blood pressure (-3.10 mm Hg [95% CI -3.45 to -2.74]), plasma triglycerides (-29.71 mg/dL [95% CI -31.99 to -27.44]), fasting glucose (-1.05 mg/dL [95% CI -1.67 to -0.44]), HbA1c (-0.21% [95% CI -0.24 to -0.18]), and plasma insulin (-2.24 µIU/mL [95% CI -2.65 to -1.82]), alongside an increase in HDL cholesterol (1.73 mg/dL [95% CI 1.44 to 2.01]).
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and creatinine showed no significant changes, and long-term health effects remain unknown.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=1,141)

PICO

P

Population

1,141 obese patients across 17 clinical investigations (23 reports) evaluating low-carbohydrate diets.

I

Intervention / Comparator

Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) vs Baseline / pre-diet values

O

Primary Outcome

Body weight and cardiovascular risk factors — MD -7.04 kg (body weight) (-7.20 to -6.88)

Main Result

Mean Difference: -7.04 (95% CI -7.2–-6.88)

Limitations

Limited data exist concerning plasma uric acid.
Effects on long-term health are unknown.

Ask about this paper

Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Systematic review and meta-analysis reveals low-carbohydrate diets improve body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in obese individuals, suggesting short-term metabolic benefits.

Abstract

A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to study the effects of low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors (search performed on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus databases). A total of 23 reports, corresponding to 17 clinical investigations, were identified as meeting the pre-specified criteria. Meta-analysis carried out on data obtained in 1,141 obese patients, showed the LCD to be associated with significant decreases in body weight (-7.04 kg [95% CI -7.20/-6.88]), body mass index (-2.09 kg m(-2) [95% CI -2.15/-2.04]), abdominal circumference (-5.74 cm [95% CI -6.07/-5.41]), systolic blood pressure (-4.81 mm Hg [95% CI -5.33/-4.29]), diastolic blood pressure (-3.10 mm Hg [95% CI -3.45/-2.74]), plasma triglycerides (-29.71 mg dL(-1) [95% CI -31.99/-27.44]), fasting plasma glucose (-1.05 mg dL(-1) [95% CI -1.67/-0.44]), glycated haemoglobin (-0.21% [95% CI -0.24/-0.18]), plasma insulin (-2.24 micro IU mL(-1) [95% CI -2.65/-1.82]) and plasma C-reactive protein, as well as an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.73 mg dL(-1) [95%CI 1.44/2.01]). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and creatinine did not change significantly, whereas limited data exist concerning plasma uric acid. LCD was shown to have favourable effects on body weight and major cardiovascular risk factors; however the effects on long-term health are unknown.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Santos et al. (2012) conducted a meta-analysis in Obesity (n=1,141). Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) vs. Baseline / pre-diet values was evaluated on Body weight and cardiovascular risk factors (MD -7.04 kg (body weight), 95% CI -7.20 to -6.88). Low-carbohydrate diets significantly reduced body weight (-7.04 kg; 95% CI -7.20 to -6.88), BMI (-2.09 kg/m2), and blood pressure in 1,141 obese patients.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7f03f0084666b5350d37c6 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789x.2012.01021.x

View at Publisher

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors

Key Points

Study Design

PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors

Key Points

Study Design

PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading