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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Metabolic improvements associated with low-carbohydrate diet in overweight and obese adults: Contributions to public health nutrition

Laryssa Rosa de Sousa Franckilin1 ,  Ludmila Lizziane de Souza Lima1,2 ,  Flávio Eduardo Dias Araújo Freitas1,3 ,  Maria Vitoria Cota de Abreu1 ,  Carlos Eduardo de Freitas Jorge4 ,  Daniela Godoy Neri5 ,  Janaina Koenen6 ,  Giselle Foureaux1*
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1 Department of Morphology, Translational Biology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2 Department of Food Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
3 Department of Health, Faculty of Biomedicine, College Anhanguera, Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil
4 Department of Nutrition, Angiogold Institute of Education and Research, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
5 Hospital of The Clinics, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
6 The Clinic, Integrated Medicine, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
JCTR, 025310050 https://doi.org/10.36922/JCTR025310050
Received: 31 July 2025 | Revised: 9 October 2025 | Accepted: 22 December 2025 | Published online: 6 February 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) are major public health challenges associated with metabolic disorders, chronic diseases, and rising healthcare costs. Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) have emerged as cost-effective strategies for prevention and treatment. Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of an LCD (≤130 g/day) on anthropometric, metabolic, hepatic, and renal parameters in OW and obese adults over 12 months. Methods: This open-label, non-randomized, self-controlled clinical trial included 34 adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 who received individualized nutritional counseling and followed an LCD for up to 12 months. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and during follow-up (3–6 months and 7–12 months). Statistical analyses included generalized estimating equations and non-parametric tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Participants achieved a mean weight loss of 10%, with reductions in BMI (−2.9 kg/m2), waist circumference (−5.4 cm), and body fat percentage. Glycated hemoglobin decreased at 7–12 months (p<0.05), while insulin levels and insulin resistance declined at 3–6 months (p=0.0497 and p=0.037). Fasting glucose remained stable. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased modestly at 7–12 months (p=0.035), whereas other lipid parameters showed no significant changes. Gamma-glutamyl transferase levels decreased (p=0.0341), with no adverse effects on renal or hepatic markers. Conclusion: An LCD was associated with improvements in glycemic control, body composition, insulin sensitivity, and liver enzymes without compromising renal function or lipid profiles, supporting its role in OB management and cardiometabolic risk reduction in primary care.

Keywords
Low-carbohydrate diet
Overweight
Obese
Metabolic health
Nutrition
Diet
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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