Effect of a Low-carbohydrate Diet on Weight Loss in People Using the Injectable GLP-1 Agonist Semaglutide for Weight Loss: a Pilot Trial

NCT ID: NCT07280403

Last Updated: 2026-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-09-12
• Study Completion Date: 2026-01-30

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of a low carbohydrate higher protein diet, modelled after the Atkins program on weight loss, glycemic control, risk markers of cardiovascular disease and body composition in patients taking semaglutide.

Participants will:

• Be randomized to follow either a low carb, higher protein diet or a low fat diet for 3 months.
• Visit the clinic at week 2, 4, 8 and 12 to meet with a dietician, fill out a symptoms questionnaire and for bloodwork
• Complete 3-day food records 4 times over the 12 weeks.

Conditions

Weight Loss

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Low Carbohydrate

Subjects randomized to the low-carbohydrate arm will be instructed on a reduced calorie diet (\<1400 kcal/day) consisting of an average macronutrient distribution of 20% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 50% fat with a maximum intake of 40g/day of available (net) carbohydrates (approximately 65-75g total carbohydrates). To complement the provided low carbohydrate shakes and snacks, dietary counselling will focus on choosing sources of protein and non-starchy vegetables

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Low Carbohydrate

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Low carbohydrate diet

Low Fat

Subjects randomized to the low-fat arm will be instructed on a reduced calorie diet (\<1400 kcal/day) consisting of an average macronutrient distribution of 50% carbohydrate, 20% protein and 30% fat, with a maximum intake of 50g/day of fat. To complement the provided low fat shakes and snacks, dietary counselling will focus on choosing lean sources of protein and carbohydrates, while limiting high fat foods such as oils, nuts, full fat dairy, and fatty meats.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Low Fat

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Low fat diet

Interventions

Low Carbohydrate

Low carbohydrate diet

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Low Fat

Low fat diet

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 18-75 years, inclusive
• Overweight or obese individuals with a BMI ≥26 kg/m²
• Non-pregnant, non-lactating individuals who are not planning on becoming pregnant during the trial and are using an effective method of contraception, as outlined: (a) Complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to administration of the study product, and throughout the clinical trial. Participants utilizing this method must agree to use 2 alternate methods of contraception (see d) if they should become sexually active and will be queried on whether they have been abstinent at each study visit. b) Has a male sexual partner who is surgically sterilized prior to the Screening Visit and is the only male sexual partner for that Participant; c) Sexual partner(s) is/are exclusively female; d) Use of two acceptable methods of contraception, such as a spermicide, mechanical barrier (e.g. male condom, female diaphragm), tubal ligation, contraceptive pill, intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant. The Participant must be using these methods for at least 1 week prior to the screening visit and throughout their participation in the trial.
• Started semaglutide injections for weight loss 14 to 35 days prior to screening, inclusive, are tolerating it and are willing to continue taking it
• HbA1c ≤7.5%
• Not taking any hypoglycemic agent, apart from a semaglutide
• Systolic blood pressure <160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <100 mmHg
• Serum creatinine <180 mmol/L (<2.1 mg/dL)
• Serum triglycerides <9 mmol/L (<800 mg/dL)
• ALT or AST <3 times the upper limit of normal
• Untreated LDL-cholesterol <5.00 mmol/l (<193 mg/dL)
• No major illness, trauma or surgery requiring hospitalization within 3mo of the screening visit
• Ability to understand the study procedures and willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study
• Subjects must be eligible to receive income in Canada and be covered by a health insurance plan such as OHIP
• Subjects are willing to sign the informed consent prior to any procedures conducted

• High alcohol consumption (>14 standard drinks per week or >4 standard drinks per day for males; and > 7 standard drinks per week or >3 standard drinks per day for females), with 1 standard drink defined as containing approximately 14g of pure alcohol. Examples of 1 standard drink include: 12 oz of regular beer (approx. 5% alcohol), 5 oz of wine (approx. 12% alcohol) or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (approx. 40% alcohol)
• Individuals with a history of bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal disease, any other medical conditions or use of supplements or medications that increase risk to the subject or others or may affect the results, as judged by the Principal Investigator
• Unwillingness or inability to comply with the experimental procedures and to follow INQUIS safety guidelines
• Known intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy to any ingredients in the study test products
• Subject is currently participating or recently (within 30 days of screening) participated in a clinical trial involving long-term exposure (greater than 24 hours) to an investigational drug, nutritional supplement, or lifestyle modification

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Simply Good Foods USA, Ltd.

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

INQUIS Clinical Research

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Janice Campbell

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

INQUIS Clinical Research

Locations

INQUIS Clinical Research

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

Other Identifiers

INQ-2411

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id