It is not necessary to follow a ketogenic (keto) diet to lose weight because carbohydrates do not inherently cause weight gain, although a moderate reduction may prove useful for individuals with insulin resistance or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

noli's read

Abbey Sharp's primary claim that carbohydrates do not inherently cause weight gain is solidly supported by the science of energy balance. A Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis comparing low-carbohydrate diets to balanced diets revealed no significant difference in weight loss at equal caloric intake. Similarly, the DIETFITS randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted by Stanford University showed that low-carbohydrate and low-fat approaches produce similar long-term weight loss results. Regarding the impact of carbohydrate reduction for individuals with reduced insulin sensitivity or PCOS, research supports this nuance. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition confirms that limiting carbohydrates helps regulate insulin levels and improve hormonal comfort in affected women. Nevertheless, other literature reviews suggest that a balanced and sustainable dietary pattern offers comparable metabolic benefits over the long term, confirming that it is not necessary to adopt a strict diet like keto.

the sources

1. 1Gardner CD et al. (DIETFITS) 2018
2. 2Seidelmann SB et al. 2018
3. 3Hu T et al. 2012