This month a followup letter provides long-term data on the outcomes of individuals assigned to either a low-carb, low-fat, or Mediterranean diet (NEJM 2012; 1373-74).

An initial study posted two-year results.  Now after an additional four years, the following results were noted:

• Among the 259 participants (80% of original groups and 95% who completed the initial two years), 67% had continued their original assigned diet.
• For the entire 6-year period, the total weight loss was 3.1 kg in the Mediterranean group, 1.7 kg in the low-carb group and 0.6 kg in the low-fat group.
• At 6 years the change in the ratio of LDL to HDL were similar in all three groups though the low-carb group had the most favorable results with a reduction of 0.16.
• At 6 years, the reduction in triglyceride levels from baseline were significant for the Mediterranean group (21.4 mg/dL) and the low-carb group (11.3 mg/dL).
• All of the groups had regained some of their weight loss from the initial 2-year period.  The most favorable outcomes were noted in the Mediterranean diet and then the low-carb diet in this workplace intervention trial.

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