from Hacker News

Low-fat diet trims body fat better than low-carb diet

by davegardner on 8/14/15, 5:25 PM with 10 comments

• by lbaskin on 8/14/15, 5:49 PM

  > People attempting to lose weight should not be swayed by the "popular theory about how low-carb diets offer a specific metabolic advantage for body fat loss," says Hall. "Our study has demonstrated that this theory is probably not true."

  > "The study involved 19 participants who were kept as in-patients for two two-week blocks and their diet strictly controlled."

  Only 19 participants on diets that were only two weeks long (at a time)? I'm skeptical.

• by kolev on 8/14/15, 6:09 PM

  Those who had tried low-carb know it takes time to adjust metabolism to the new diet and two weeks is way too short of a period.

• by thelastguy on 8/15/15, 5:24 PM

  Just do what works for you. If one diet isn't working, just try out a different one. Eventually, you'll find the correct diet for you (paleo). Obviously, paleo is the correct answer, but, you have try out all those other diets first, before you can get to the right one (paleo).

• by jaworrom on 8/14/15, 6:37 PM

  Problem with low-fat diets is they lead to hormonal deficiencies, sub-par vitamin absorption, and let's not forget that fatty acids are precursors to the hormones and chemicals produced in the brain. Depression is fairly common in long-term low-fat diets as well.

• by lhankbhl on 8/14/15, 5:43 PM

  Interesting and probably merits further examination. They did mention that the findings only speak to short term results and of course the most important bit is at the end of the article:

  > "Ultimately, Hall cautions against using the study to determine what diet to follow.

  > "Rather than expecting a specific metabolic advantage for choosing one diet over another for losing body fat, it is better to choose a diet that is healthy for you and one that you can stick to for long periods of time, ideally permanently," he says.