Thread by @DNSWilson

I wanted to collect my thoughts on the study released earlier in the week by @KevinH_PhD. It turned into this blog-sized thread.

The study compared a high-carb, plant-based diet to a low-carb, omnivorous diet in a 4 wk. cross-over study.

The results created quite a stir.

1/

Participants were randomly assigned to a plant-based diet or low-carb diet for two weeks. They then switched to the other diet for the following two weeks.

Both groups lost weight but participants on the plant-based diet ate less and lost more fat, despite higher insulin.

2/

This triggered some to question whether the carb-insulin model was dead. CICO enthusiasts took a few victory laps, bashing low-carbers as foolishly fixated on carbs and beyond reason.

3/

I initially found the results quite disappointing.

Though I never thought the carb-insulin model was perfect, I relied on it often in trying to explain how keto could work.

The truth is, I don't really know why it works. I am trying to come up with an explanation.

4/

I've come to appreciate the study. It's a careful examination of a subject I am interested in. It used straight-forward, relatable interventions. There is good data here to test models against.

5/

I don't think this test disproves the "carb-insulin" model of obesity, though it is a significant challenge to it.

Nobody should be too surprised that a Tweet-length version such as "insulin=fat" failed in a careful study.

This does not mean I am abandoning keto!

6/

I lost 25 pounds (and counting) on keto. My body comp is way better. My digestion drastically improved. Best of all, I am no longer a slave to my hunger and blood sugar roller coaster.

I have seen countless others achieve incredible health results using keto principles.

7/

I don't do keto because of the "carb-insulin model". I used the model in an attempt to explain the results I was seeing.

I remain open to a more complete and accurate model.

This study will only help.

8/

Lost in the discussion about the "carb-insulin" model was some great data on keto. The keto subjects lost weight - even some fat - despite eating ad-libitum.

Though much of the weight loss WAS water, this shouldn't be trivialized.

9/

Moreover, there was a clear drop in appetite on keto in the second week. This is something every keto adapt is familiar with.

Fat started dropping in the second week. It is reasonable to infer the keto group would have continued to experience improvements in body comp.

10/

I don't see this as any particular victory for CICO. The study leads assumed CICO in designing the study and analyzing the results. The study was not designed to test the "energy balance" model.

In their minds it is not contestable. I'd argue if it is testable.

11/

In concluding, I would hate to see anybody discouraged from trying low-carb by this study. There are plenty of anecdotal benefits confirmed here, and results are real.

Even if this ended the carb-insulin model, we just need a better way to account for the results.

12/12

@bschermd @DaveKeto @fancypirate8 @DoctorTro

#keto #ketodiet #ketogenicdiet #Ketogenic

#lchf #lowcarb

Thank-you for reading!