Intermittent dietary carbohydrate restriction versus calorie restriction on cardiometabolic profiles

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and compliance with intermittent low carbohydrate diet (ILCD) versus calorie restriction (ICR) among children and youths with cardiometabolic risk (CMR) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Thirty-four participants aged 9-30 years comorbid with CMR were randomized to receive a self-administered 2-week ILCD (carbohydrate intake ≤50 g/d for 7 nonconsecutive days) or ICR diet (500-600 kcal/d for two consecutive days per week) following the diet instructions. The changes in obesity measures, glycemic and lipid profiles, and gut microbiota composition from baseline to Day 14 were investigated.