TABLE 4.

Consensus statements regarding the state-of-the-science on benefits, risks, and gaps in research pertaining to lower-carbohydrate diets.

Statements
Multiple clinical trials in humans consistently demonstrate that low-carbohydrate diets can result in significant improvements in insulin resistance and other risk markers for cardiovascular disease.
Low-carbohydrate dietary patterns are supported by a large number of well-designed research studies funded by a variety of sources (federal entities, foundations, industry, university, etc.) and published across a wide range of independent, peer-reviewed journals.
Well-formulated low-carbohydrate eating patterns are consistent with normal human physiology and comparable to other dietary patterns for body composition outcomes such as percent body fat, ectopic / unhealthy fat, and lean body mass.
Current evidence indicates well-formulated low-carbohydrate diets are comparable in safety and efficacy to other dietary patterns regarding areas of concern (e.g., dyslipidemia, micronutrient deficiencies, adverse effects on kidneys or bone health).
Low-carbohydrate diets are safe for the general population but may require knowledgeable medical supervision for a set period of time for certain conditions (e.g., type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes on insulin or glucose lowering medications or sulfonylureas, etc.).
Low-carbohydrate diets are helpful for addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and are not associated with significant adverse effects.