The Claim
In women with obesity, a 1-month very-low-calorie ketogenic diet results in 62% of total weight loss originating from fat mass and 38% from lean soft tissue.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In women with obesity, a one-month very-low-calorie ketogenic diet leads to 62% of the weight lost coming from fat and 38% from muscle and other lean tissue.
See the scientific wording
In women with obesity, a 1-month very-low-calorie ketogenic diet is associated with a 62% loss of total weight loss coming from fat mass and 38% from lean soft tissue, indicating that fat loss predominates but muscle loss remains substantial.
When carbohydrate intake is drastically reduced, the body switches from burning sugar to burning fat for energy. Fat stores break down rapidly, releasing fatty acids that the liver turns into ketones to fuel the brain and muscles. To keep blood sugar stable, the body breaks down muscle protein to make new glucose. This process causes fat to be lost first, but muscle also breaks down at the same time, leading to significant loss of lean tissue alongside fat.
What the research says
1 studyIn women with obesity who followed a very low-calorie keto diet for a month, most of the weight they lost came from fat (62%), but nearly two-fifths (38%) came from muscle and other lean tissue — and the study directly measured this split.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.