A common keto diet claim is that it is the "best diet for weight loss".
This is a big claim, so let's discuss it using the springboard of this video by Dr Eric Berg.
It is true, ketogenic diets do cause the most weight loss in the short-term, but this isn't indicative of superior fat burning powers, keto diets just cause additional water and glycogen losses on top of that.
When you look at long-term trials, the weight loss advantage of keto appears to dissipate, likely because of diminished adherence which is a problem irrespective of diet type.
So yes, if your goal is to lose *weight* as quickly as possible, keto is great.
But if you want to lose *fat* it isn't necessarily better than a calorie and protein controlled equivalent low-fat diet.
Most importantly, if you want to lose fat and *actually keep it off* it is crucial that you pick an approach that you can adhere to for a long time. For some of you that might be keto, but it isn't a wise idea to pick it unless it tickles your proverbial testicles.
References:
– Composition of weight lost during short-term weight reduction. Metabolic responses of obese subjects to starvation and low-calorie ketogenic and nonketogenic diets
– Effect of a plant-based, low-fat diet versus an animal-based, ketogenic diet on ad libitum energy intake
– Obesity Energetics: Body Weight Regulation and the Effects of Diet Composition