Anyone who 's ever attempted to lose weight knows the frustration of trying -- and failing at -- different diets . But a study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests any low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet can produce significant weight loss results . People should choose diets that they can stick to , rather than fret over low-fat versus low-carb , says study author Bradley Johnston , assistant professor of clinical epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton , Ontario . The study . Researchers looked at 48 previous studies that included a total of 7,286 overweight and obese adults . Many participants followed popular name-branded diets , including the low-carb Atkins , South Beach , or Zone diets , the balanced `` Biggest Loser , '' Jenny Craig , Nutrisystem , Volumetrics or Weight Watchers diets , or the low-fat Ornish or Rosemary Conley diets . The participants reported their body weight or body mass index before and after following the diets . Calculate your BMI . The results . After six months , those on low-carb diets and low-fat diets lost approximately the same amount of weight -- around 18 pounds . The researchers found those on brand-name diets saw only small variations in the amount of weight lost . 11 simple weight loss tips . `` There may be important differences to some individual clinicians or some individual dieters , but overall the differences are minimal , '' Johnston said . In addition , exercise and behavioral support enhanced weight loss . Behavioral support includes things like group support , counseling and/or meeting with a registered dietitian . After a year , many people stopped losing weight and gained a couple of pounds back . The average sustained weight loss was 16 pounds . The researchers noted exercise continued to enhance weight loss , whereas the results for behavioral support were no longer significant after a year . In an editorial accompanying the study , Linda Van Horn of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago argued that limiting carbohydrates or fat can be risky . Focusing solely on weight loss , she wrote , only makes these popular diets seems healthy . 5 ways a healthy diet is making you tired . As soon as you start reducing or eliminating macronutrients like fat , carbs or protein , you run the risk of avoiding foods that `` actually have a host of nutrients to them , '' she said . People who eat a low-carb diet , for example , often miss out on the fiber , potassium , Vitamin C and other phytochemicals that are important to good health . Another take . The debate over low-fat and low-carb diets has been going on for decades . And the JAMA study likely wo n't put a stop to it . Just on Monday , a study of 148 people published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a low-carb diet is superior to a low-fat one for weight loss . Participants on the low-carb diet reduced their cardiovascular risk factors . They also saw reductions in fat mass , along with improved cholesterol levels . Low-carb , high-protein diets linked to women 's heart disease . `` With the obesity epidemic , everyone is really interested in the best way , the easiest way to lose weight , '' said Lauri Wright , registered dietitian nutritionist and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , who was not involved in either study . `` For every one study that shows the low-carb is better , then there 's a counterstudy that shows that low-fat is better . And it 's very confusing . '' Wright recommends people see a dietitian to develop an individualized plan . `` We 're not only trying to lose weight , but we 're also trying to prevent diseases too , '' she added . `` We want to make sure the diet is not only low in calories , but it has really high-quality nutrition value . ''
A new study suggests any low-carb or low-fat diet can help with weight loss . The average sustained weight loss after one year was 16 pounds . Cardiovascular risk factors reduced with low-carb diet , study finds . Lack of fiber , potassium , Vitamin C are possible side effects of extreme low-carb diets .