Am J Clin Nutr August 2016 PMID 27385608

Energy expenditure and body composition changes after an isocaloric ketogenic diet in overweight and obese men.

Kevin D Hall, Kong Y Chen, Juen Guo, Yan Y Lam, Rudolph L Leibel, Laurel Es Mayer, Marc L Reitman, Michael Rosenbaum, Steven R Smith, B Timothy Walsh, Eric Ravussin

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271

Peak: 17 in Oct 2020

across 6 sources since May 2019

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2,066,688

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reveals skepticism about the study's conclusions, with many posts stressing that ketogenic diets do not result in increased fat loss or energy expenditure, citing studies and meta-analyses. Words like 'no difference,' 'misleading,' and 'debunked' demonstrate a critical tone, reflecting a preference for existing evidence over new findings, and highlight lively debates about diet efficacy and metabolic mechanisms.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions reflect skepticism or disagreement with the study’s findings, with many emphasizing that ketogenic diets do not produce significant metabolic advantages.

InterestHigh interest

The group shows high curiosity and engagement with the topic, referencing specific studies, data, and biological mechanisms.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants are actively debating, citing scientific evidence, and challenging claims, indicating a moderate level of detailed involvement.

ImpactNeutral impact

While the discussions influence opinions on ketogenic diets and energy expenditure, they seem more about opinion-shaping and clarification rather than immediate practical change.

Abstract in brief

The study investigated how a low-carb ketogenic diet (KD) affects energy expenditure (EE) and body composition in overweight or obese men, comparing it to a high-carbohydrate baseline diet (BD).
Results showed that during the KD, participants experienced small increases in EE and fat oxidation, along with a decrease in respiratory quotient (RQ), indicating increased fat burning, but there was no significant additional body fat loss compared to the baseline diet.
Overall, while the ketogenic diet slightly raised energy expenditure, it did not lead to greater fat loss when calories were kept constant, suggesting that the effects on metabolism are modest and may be limited by other factors like protein utilization and loss of lean mass.

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Chris K

@ChrisK584251 · X

@ted_ryce @AlexJLeaf Hall, K. D., Chen, K. Y., Guo, J., et al. (2018). “Energy expenditure and body composition changes after an isocaloric ketogenic diet in overweight and obese men.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 108(4), 702-710.

Oct 25, 2025 · 66 followers View post →

Aaron Hengist, PhD

@AaronHengist · X

@DavidMacklinMD @KevinH_PhD Tx for interest: we want to explain the metabolic mechanisms behind the increase in sleeping EE in first week of keto diet from: https://t.co/1Yq0rRYWit and see if NR potentiates the effect More info here https://t.co/M8fwiRZTU1 Data collection started 2024, now ~50% enrolled

Aug 19, 2025 · 1 like · 1,111 followers View post →

Mind Muscle Project

@mindmusclepro · X

https://t.co/nQpoX6jjdb

Jul 27, 2025 · 24,190 followers View post →

anonemus349832

@anonemus349832 · X

@Jeff_T @lowcarbGP @DrEenfeldt @rcgp @DrDuaneRD @BrownAdey @KenDBerryMD @SBakerMD @drjasonfung @LoreofRunning1 @lowcarb_aus You're hopped up on bullshit. Excess energy doesn't vanish. No one has too little insulin to store it all. High carb diets perform better for fat loss and preservation of fat-free mass. https://t.co/PGibdLVihA https://t.co/Jmj7w4X2A8

May 14, 2025 · 56 followers View post →

Eric Conklin

@EricConk32 · X

@whitfieldlewis6 @NutritionMadeS3

Apr 25, 2025 · 749 followers View post →

Nick

@upRootNutrition · X

@hydr0matte @dylanarmbruste3 @tednaiman What you're describing literally doesn't happen when subjects are kept relatively weight stable. https://t.co/rO170STKQf https://t.co/A8dpdLlz0M

Jan 1, 2025 · 2 likes · 9,485 followers View post →

Khaled Al Harbi | خالد الحربي

@KhaledPens · X

@StudioSBCShow @bakhsh_reda @NADER_ALFRHAN هو يعتمد على ال carb insulin model بمثال السكر واللحم والشحم والانسولين وهذي تم نقضها عام ٢٠١٦: https://t.co/OmITBle8Mw وهي اصلا لاتزال تخضع لقانون الديناميكا الحرارية: https://t.co/QEKUlZ8U8O يعني مسالة السعرات لاتزال قائمة. ولو تقرا البحث الثاني راح تلاحظ انه مايفهم كيف https://t.co/RshRUVnQ29

Nov 25, 2024 · 2 likes · 202 followers View post →

TJ Jurkiewicz | Fat Loss Coach

@TheFitnessJurk · X

@tMasonJercier @Falkenby @RizardOfOdds Not to mention it's been proven that Low Carb Diets do not cause more weight loss than low fat diets when calories and protein are equated: https://t.co/0PiiRGguUE https://t.co/MhgWUs8ogx https://t.co/Za2h1jVLe0 ht

Jul 31, 2024 · 1 like · 5,984 followers View post →

Tom Scott

@tomscott99 · X

@DavisonVideo @NutritionSciGuy @DoctorTro Nope. That's not true. It's been studied. Including studies funded by Gary Taubes and Peter Attia (below) And it's not necessary to promote a keto diet. Again, it works great for some people. No reason to deny science to support it. https://t.co/jiLxDWYpM4

Feb 13, 2024 · 317 followers View post →

Mind Your Science!

@MindYourSci · X

RT @BioLayne: That is also untrue. In fact if anything ketogenic diets are worse for lean mass retention compared to high carb diets when p…

Dec 25, 2023 · 3 shares · 133 followers View post →

Unapologist

@vegan_rav · X

RT @BioLayne: That is also untrue. In fact if anything ketogenic diets are worse for lean mass retention compared to high carb diets when p…

Dec 24, 2023 · 3 shares · 1,590 followers View post →

Layne Norton, PhD

@BioLayne · X

Dec 24, 2023 · 156 likes · 3 shares · 223,103 followers View post →

TJ Jurkiewicz | Fat Loss Coach

@TheFitnessJurk · X

If hormones like insulin really changed the weight loss game, we'd see big differences between low-carb and low-fat diets with the same amounts calories. But guess what? We don't. https://t.co/s9OzcQrdmC https://t.co/Za2h1jWj3y https://t.co/3W0xgLXVTD

Aug 17, 2023 · 5,984 followers View post →

sam van der Velden

@VanderveldenSam · X

@aCarnivoreDiet @TheNutrivore https://t.co/EQXUHjXGcC

Aug 15, 2023 · 11 followers View post →

sam van der Velden

@VanderveldenSam · X

@StevenMBelknap @DrNadolsky Yet metabolic ward studies show no difference in weight loss between isocaloric diets https://t.co/EQXUHjXGcC Food contains molecules from which we can't get energy and molecules from which we can like fat, carbohydrates, protein and alcohol which are measured in calories

Aug 14, 2023 · 11 followers View post →

Six Pack Billy

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@AxiomOrca @AlpacaAurelius I do not need anecdotes when there are DOZENS of studies showing you do not need low carb to lose body fat. It’s not that hard to understand. LMFAO. Get with the program son. https://t.co/Ol12v50DNH

Jul 26, 2023 · 112 followers View post →

TominationTime

@TominationTime · X

@David_5150 example studies: Low fat better results than low carb (marginally): https://t.co/B2Y4g4UiUH Meta analysis comparing low carb / low fat: https://t.co/TddekU93k8 Keto vs. high carb - https://t.co/lrKIJbCrqf

Jun 15, 2023 · 1,995 followers View post →

renata_schwartz

@re_schwartz · X

RT @JornTrommelen: In conclusion, the ketogenic diet does not increase fat loss compared to a high-carbohydrate diet. Study: https://t.co…

May 1, 2023 · 1 share · 128 followers View post →

Jorn Trommelen, PhD

@JornTrommelen · X

In conclusion, the ketogenic diet does not increase fat loss compared to a high-carbohydrate diet. Study: https://t.co/ud07gazPqK 9/9 Did you find this useful? Please help promote the first tweet of the thread: https://t.co/L8jmPsdiEZ

Mar 3, 2023 · 5 likes · 1 share · 7,613 followers View post →

eleanorina

@_eleanorina · X

RT @AKoutnik: Ketone-adaptation timeline: Substrate Oxid. Plateau </=7d overweight/obese @KevinH_PhD ): https://t.co/YI19KL22WY </=4-14d…

Feb 26, 2023 · 1 share · 3,173 followers View post →

Andrew Koutnik, Ph.D.

@AKoutnik · X

Ketone-adaptation timeline: Substrate Oxid. Plateau </=7d overweight/obese @KevinH_PhD ): https://t.co/YI19KL22WY </=4-14d athletes @PhilipPrins11 @LoreofRunning1): https://t.co/GXCnJnNhNz I.M.O. Gas exchange is downstream of enzymatic & biochemical changes.... but... 4/n

Feb 26, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,145 followers View post →

Andrew Koutnik, Ph.D.

@AKoutnik · X

Ketone-adaptation timeline: Substrate Oxidation Change Via gas exchange. </=4d (male/athletes): https://t.co/AJpGIjkoRC </=7d (overweight/obese): https://t.co/YI19KL22WY </=14d (overweight/obese): https://t.co/OgfC370hnX https://t.co/7eJZyUUSpU cont... 3/n

Feb 26, 2023 · 3 likes · 7,145 followers View post →

Derrik Behler (BEE-Ler)

@DPGBehler · X

@Aristotle_Code @FenixAmmunition @MelonieMac I’m saying there are no randomized human control trials or meta-analyses that verify your claims. But the laws of thermodynamics work against you. Keto and insulin regulation aren’t magic. https://t.co/jU4yDAo0jH https://t.co/p15njRSVl9 https://t.co/lEX5Tl6t93

Feb 11, 2023 · 2 likes · 3,619 followers View post →

Derrik Behler (BEE-Ler)

@DPGBehler · X

@jordanbpeterson Randomized human control trials have shown that when calories & protein are equated, there’s basically no difference in insulin sensitivity improvement as they lose weight when carbohydrate amounts are varied. Obesity is the issue https://t.co/OQRz2L846Y https://t.co/lEX5Tl6t93

Dec 29, 2022 · 1 like · 3,619 followers View post →

Antoni Gordon

@AntoniGordon · X

@anti_wokeist @joeyyochheim Other research has found no difference in fat loss, eg https://t.co/ppmbe12TSz

Dec 27, 2022 · 19 followers View post →

Javier Gonzalez

@Gonzalez_JT · X

RT @AaronHengist: 6/6 References: https://t.co/khb7ppHskb https://t.co/eqW8sYrcd1 https://t.co/pwbOdLBOEm https://t.co/4rMdr6URAW https…

Nov 28, 2022 · 1 share · 10,178 followers View post →

Aaron Hengist, PhD

@AaronHengist · X

6/6 References: https://t.co/khb7ppHskb https://t.co/eqW8sYrcd1 https://t.co/pwbOdLBOEm https://t.co/4rMdr6URAW https://t.co/1Yq0rRZu81

Nov 28, 2022 · 13 likes · 1 share · 1,111 followers View post →

C.Lojain

@jo____200 · X

https://t.co/Sy1zk4Uigy https://t.co/EAaPvohHz4 https://t.co/WmspHwOcKC

Aug 19, 2022 · 13,895 followers View post →

Bryan Krantz

@bakrantz · X

@SentientBlobBob @BiggestComeback @tednaiman https://t.co/vSvjU7LCzf

Jul 31, 2022 · 766 followers View post →

Wendi A. Irlbeck MS, RDN, LD, CISSN

@Wendi_Irlbeck · X

Jan 5, 2022 · 3 likes · 53,922 followers View post →

Lef_iv Ⓥ

@Lef_iv · X

The NIH report Mic the Vegan refers to in the video. NIH study at a Metabolic Ward. Two groups were fed the exact same calories. Body fat loss was slower in Ketosis. https://t.co/sboYrJqntX

Nov 18, 2021 · 3,552 followers View post →

Dani Reyes Olavarría

@Daniitota · X

RT @Dani_trainer_: A igualdad calórica, tanto dietas altas en carbohidratos como bajas en carbohidratos conducen a la misma pérdida de gras…

Oct 30, 2021 · 2 shares · 463 followers View post →

Dani Trainer

@Dani_trainer_ · X

A igualdad calórica, tanto dietas altas en carbohidratos como bajas en carbohidratos conducen a la misma pérdida de grasa. Carbohidratos no son el demonio

Oct 30, 2021 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 18,445 followers View post →

OlivePUFA

@OlivePufa · X

@MacroFour 43% vs 25% protein lol And in the second study the low fat didn’t lose lean mass, while the low carb did. Did you even read these? Meanwhile https://t.co/U8jsT3z98M https://t.co/S3Cybawhln https://t.co/PhD1ArQuqc

Sep 13, 2021 · 50 followers View post →

Duane Storey

@DuaneStorey · X

@KevinH_PhD In your study “Energy expenditure and body composition changes after an isocaloric ketogenic diet in overweight and obese men” did you measure fasting insulin?

Jun 17, 2021 · 3,754 followers View post →

Herman Pontzer

@HermanPontzer · X

@garytaubes @CaloriesProper @SamueleMarcora @bigfatsurprise or how about the controlled feeding study in humans that you helped design that didn't support the CIM? https://t.co/tOXoJ3YgK5

Apr 9, 2021 · 2 likes · 12,046 followers View post →

LAN FITNESS

@LAN_FITNESS · X

RT @ToshiyukiHorie: 体脂肪率減少においてケトジェニックダイエットが有効であることを示そうとした摂食実験は失敗に終わった。 https://t.co/AA2AcUcMze https://t.co/CZ3yq37UAo

Mar 25, 2021 · 7 shares · 58 followers View post →

PICO

@msmiminta · X

Mar 25, 2021 · 7 shares · 858 followers View post →

ワクチン薬害、シェディング、コロナ後遺症による体調不良などの酸化ストレス解消に電磁波対策も

@okadaue_dsgenki · X

Mar 25, 2021 · 7 shares · 2,012 followers View post →

うさ亀

@ark_pt · X

Mar 25, 2021 · 7 shares · 792 followers View post →

TEAM LAN

@TEAM_LAN · X

RT @ToshiyukiHorie: 体脂肪率減少においてケトジェニックダイエットが有効であることを示そうとした摂食実験は失敗に終わった。 https://t.co/AA2AcUcMze https://t.co/CZ3yq37UAo https://t.co/U2scoCz…

Mar 24, 2021 · 7 shares · 16,018 followers View post →

ちん

@violet_alone122 · X

Mar 24, 2021 · 7 shares · 288 followers View post →

Toshiyuki Horie｜堀江俊之

@ToshiyukiHorie · X

Mar 24, 2021 · 25 likes · 7 shares · 25,270 followers View post →

Nick

@upRootNutrition · X

@AlexJLeaf @Shane_of_AZ @Jevan @KevinH_PhD Yeah, Hall's 2016 trial measured muscle catabolism. It normalized after 11 days. https://t.co/rO170SBBC7

Mar 7, 2021 · 9,485 followers View post →

iqbalbasagili

@iqbalbasagili · X

Kehilangan lemak tubuh justru melambat saat kita beralih ke KD. KD sukses besar menurunkan BB, bahkan sejak awal kita beralih ke diet ini. Tapii... Laju penurunan lemak tubuh diperlambat lebih dr separuhnya. Jadi yg hilang apa ? Air, protein dan LBM https://t.co/nGDcTHOXaX

Feb 14, 2021 · 1 like · 1,776 followers View post →

Nick

@upRootNutrition · X

@KLesnansky Fat adaptation takes 11 days. https://t.co/rO170SBBC7

Feb 14, 2021 · 9,485 followers View post →

gary taubes

@garytaubes · X

@SamueleMarcora @ClemmensenC @whsource @tonofbuns @FrogHarmless @DiscoStew66 You have to fix calories. Ebbeling et al tested it and so did Hall et al. Different results. Clearly needs more tests. https://t.co/8J09OF5s59 https://t.co/3iGwjQWjdL

Jan 9, 2021 · 1 like · 119,594 followers View post →

rwalker

@rwalker13 · X