30 Seconds Summary
Carbs vs. fat: the final answer?

  • A new study compares fat loss between people with obesity on low-fat vs. low-carb diets, suggesting more fat loss on a low-fat diet based on indirect calorimetry measurements.
  • Both groups in the study reduced calorie intake by 30%, but with either a low-fat or low-carb approach, keeping protein and overall calorie consumption consistent.
  • Body composition was actually similar between groups as measured by DXA scans, showing no significant difference in total fat mass or body fat percentage loss.
  • The study used indirect measures (metabolic ward measurements of nutrition oxidation and nitrogen excretion in urine) to estimate greater fat loss in the low-fat group, not direct fat measurements.
  • Only 17 subjects presented reliable data after a short experiment (6 days) with intermittent measures (3 days), which places limitations on the findings, although this does not negate the study's insights completely.
  • Greater energy expenditure decrease was observed in the low-carb group, possibly affecting weight loss dynamics.
  • The study concludes that overall energy deficit is crucial for fat loss, rather than specific macronutrient ratios, debunking the myth of a 'magic' macro ratio for optimal weight loss.
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