Low-carbohydrate diets are more effective in contributing to weight loss compared to Mediterranean and low-fat diets, according to a new two-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study compared low-carbohydrate, low-fat, and Mediterranean diets, following more than 300 obese patients for two years. All the study participants consumed a similar number of calories.

Those following the low-carbohydrate diet experienced a mean weight loss of more than 10 pounds, which was 40% greater than those following the low-fat diet and about 7% greater than those following the Mediterranean diet.

According to the study, participants following the low-carbohydrate diet consumed more protein, fat and cholesterol than the other diets, but experienced the best results when comparing cholesterol ratios, and comparable improvements in health measures such as liver function and levels of cardiovascular disease. Among the low-carbohydrate participants, the reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL (good cholesterol) was significant—a relative decrease of 20%—and better than the other diets.

This new study confirms that diets such as the Atkins Diet that are focused on reduced levels of carbohydrates provide a roadmap to successful weight loss and weight management with significant health benefits.

“This study adds to the growing body of evidence that Atkins continues to be on the cutting-edge of science,” said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of education and nutrition with Atkins Nutritionals, Denver, CO. “Individuals who are looking to lose weight successfully and develop healthy lifelong eating habits can rely on Atkins to provide them with the tools they need to achieve their goals.”

The study was conducted by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, Israel and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Channing Laboratory. The study was partly financed by the Atkins Research Foundation. Results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 17.