Want to try weight loss by following the ‘keto’ diet? You could double your risk of heart attack and stroke, a study warns. Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada showed that the popular weight loss diet programme, which includes very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fat, is associated with high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood.
Presenting the study at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session, they said it was also associated with a two-fold increased risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain (angina), blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attack and stroke. joined.
Lead author Iulia said, “Our study found that regular consumption of a self-reported diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat was associated with increased levels of LDL cholesterol – or ‘bad’ cholesterol – and a higher risk of heart disease. was attached.” Iatan, from St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Canada, and the Center for Heart Lung Innovation at the University of British Columbia.
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For the study, Ian and his team analyzed 305 participants, which were compared to 1,220 individuals who ate a standard diet. They defined a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat as one containing no more than 25 percent of total daily energy or calories from carbohydrates and no more than 45 percent of total daily calories from fat.
Compared to participants on a standard diet, those on a keto-like diet had significantly higher levels of both LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apo B) – a protein that helps carry fat and cholesterol through the human body.
Previous studies have shown that elevated apoB may be a better predictor for heart disease risk than elevated LDL cholesterol, Ian said.
After nearly 12 years of follow-up, the team found that people following a keto-like diet had more than twice the risk of having several major cardiovascular events, such as blockages in arteries that need to be opened with stenting procedures, Heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Overall, 9.8 percent of participants on the keto-like diet experienced a new cardiac event, compared with 4.3 percent of those on the standard diet, a doubling of the risk for those on the keto-like diet. Iatan cautions those considering going on the LCHF diet.
“Before starting this dietary pattern, they should consult a healthcare provider. During the diet, it is recommended that they monitor their cholesterol levels and remove other risk factors for heart disease or stroke. try to avoid, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, and smoking.”
However, the researchers noted that their study “may only show an association between diet and increased risk for major cardiovascular events, not a causal relationship,” because it was an observational study, but their findings deserve further study. Are.