http://www.heartfoundation.com.au/d..._dietsPP_04.pdf
I thought I might give a link to this literature review, becuase I really think it is quite interesting, and a scholarly literature review.
The Australian Heart Foundation is a charitable organisation in Australia funding research into cardiovascular disease, but also issues dietery advice/guidelines that are very influential. They have a high profile due to the use of the 'heart foundation tick' - a label on foods that are comparitively low in salt, saturated fat, and energy density (i think?) for foods of there type.
Anway, there was a bit of shock lately becuase they came out and said - gasp - that fat isn't bad, and that there is no evidence that fat (alone) leads to obesity. There are other indepedent variables. However, they stand by the claim that saturated fat is likely bad - they now reccomend rather then lowering fat below 30% (old reccomendaton) we look at achieving a 1:1 balance between sats and other fats. There position paper on this seperate issue is also on their website.
However, they have also come up with this literature review on studies into Very low carb diets, which they define as diets with less then 100g of carbs a day. I think this a very objective review, which reports on the benefits of low carbing (weight loss, improved blood lipids) as well as areas where we need more research.
I think all too often hard-core low carbers full into the mistake of saying 'no research that bad = therefore not bad' (without admitting there is an element of gambling involved) wheras these sorts of political organisations say 'no research that good and indications that bad = very bad'. It is enlightening to see such an influential organisation that, while not reccomending VLC diets over others - doesn't feel the need to condemn them or twist research either. Even admitting they improve some profiles.