Lifestyle and behavioural changes are the foundation of all weight management approaches, but weight loss achieved via these means is often not sustainable over the long term. Numerous nutritional interventions exist, and no single approach is universally recommended for treatment of obesity. Importantly, any dietary approach should be safe, healthy, nutritionally adequate and sustainable over the long-term.
Low-carbohydrate (low-carb) diets are increasingly popular and have been associated with reduced cravings, possibly making it easier for some people living with obesity to reduce food intake. In some cases, low-carb diets have been associated with significant beneficial health effects in people with type 2 diabetes, including improved blood glucose levels, weight loss, reduced need for anti-diabetic therapies, and even remission. However, due to a lack of long-term data on safety, efficacy and adherence, widespread acceptance of this approach in people with type 2 diabetes is limited. So, are low-carb diets appropriate for supporting long-term weight loss in individuals with obesity?
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