Professor Noakes has come under a lot of fire regarding his advocacy of low-carb-high fat diets, from both the scientific community and the public as a whole (not to mention companies who sell low-fat products). Yet the proponents of this diet (I include myself) have seen many great benefits in following it.
Since the diet has a lot of really tasty and easy meals, it makes it more sustainable than many of the other diets out there - and in spite of being called a “diet”, it really is more of a lifestyle choice. A recent article published by researchers at the University of Stellenbosch (Naude, et al., 2014) has received a lot of media attention and is often cited to say it disproves the ketogenic way of life. In reality, the only thing it claims is that this diet is as good as traditional calorie controlled diets.
To quote: “Trials show weight loss in the short-term irrespective of whether the diet is low CHO or balanced.”
What media fails to report is that there is actually quite a bulk of scientific evidence that support the idea that we should eat ketogenic (low carbohydrate, high fat).
Perez-Guisado (2008) showed that ketogenic diets can be more effective in losing bodyweight and gives metabolic advantages. Several researchers (Paoli, 2012; Bueno, 2013) have indicated that LCHF is effective in combating obesity, while others (Dashti , 2006; Perez-Guisado, 2008; Antonio, 2011) have shown it is safe, even (especially) for those with high cholesterol .
Though there is a lot more scientific evidence (proof is a bit of a strong word) that can be quoted in defence of this lifestyle -frankly - I couldn’t care less what other people eat, it works for me and I’ve never felt healthier. I still eat the odd carb, but as an exception, rather than the rule and it’s worked out just fine!
References:
Low Carbohydrate versus Isoenergetic Balanced Diets for Reducing Weight and Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Naude et al.(2014), July 2014
Ketogenic diets and weight loss: basis and effectiveness, Perez-Guisado, et al.(2008), Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutricion,58,2, 126
Very-?low-?carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-?fat diet for long-?term weight loss: a meta-?analysis of randomised controlled trials, Bueno, et al. (2013), British Journal of Nutrition, 110,1178
Ketogenic diet does not affect strength performance in elite artistic gymnasts, Antonio et al (2012), Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9, 34
Spanish ketogenic Mediterranean diet: a healthy cardiovascular diet for weight loss, Joaquin et al (2008), Nutrition Journal, 7