Keto-like LCHF diets harmful to heart health
Researchers found that following a Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diet was associated with increased LDL cholesterol or the ‘bad’ cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels
image for illustrative purpose
While popular fad diets such as keto-like low carbohydrate and high fat (LCHF) diets may help you lose weight, these are not good for the heart, said health experts on Sunday.
A recent study led by University of British Columbia researchers found that following a Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diet was associated with increased LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol or the "bad" cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels, and an increased risk of incident Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Apolipoprotein B is a blood test to gauge the risk of heart disease.
In the study of 305 LCHF and 1,220 standard diet participants, 11.1 per cent of LCHF had severe hypercholesterolemia -- high levels of cholesterol in the blood, compared to 6.2 per cent of standard diet individuals.
After 11.8 years, 9.8 per cent of LCHF participants experienced a MACE, compared to 4.3 per cent of those on a standard diet, revealed the study, published in JACC: Advances. "There is a popular belief these days that carbohydrates should be reduced in the diet. Some people are also advocating consuming a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet. It may lead to weight loss but is associated with increased bad cholesterol (LDL) and also increased cardiovascular MACE events which means that the risk of heart attack, stroke, and deaths from heart attacks increase," Ashwani Mehta, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said.
