Betrayal of 'Jeotanggoji'... "Doubles the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke"

Canadian Research Team Analyzes 'BioBank' Data

A study has revealed that the 'Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat (LCHF)' diet increases 'bad' cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

According to a CNN report on the 5th (local time), Dr. Yulia Iatan and her research team at the Heart and Lung Innovation Centre of the University of British Columbia in Canada announced at the joint annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology and the World Heart Federation (ACC.23/WCC) that the LCHF diet increases bad cholesterol, doubling the risk of artery blockage, heart attacks, and strokes.

LCHF Diet Raises LDL Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B Levels

[Image source=Pixabay]

Dr. Iatan’s team utilized data from the UK Biobank, which has tracked the genetics, lifestyle, and health information of British citizens for over 10 years, comparing and analyzing the health data of 305 individuals following the LCHF diet with over 1,200 individuals following a standard diet.

The LCHF diet was defined as one where 45% of daily caloric intake comes from fat and 25% from carbohydrates. The well-known LCHF diet, the 'Keto diet,' sometimes consists of 70-90% of daily calories from fat.

The study found that individuals following the LCHF diet had higher levels of LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B compared to the standard diet group. Apolipoprotein B is a protein that surrounds LDL cholesterol particles and is known to be a highly accurate predictor of heart disease.

Additionally, those on the LCHF diet consumed animal fats at a rate of 33%, more than double that of the control group (16%), and had a higher intake of harmful saturated fats.

After an average follow-up period of 11.8 years, excluding the effects of other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking, the LCHF diet users were found to have more than twice the risk of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery blockage, heart attacks, strokes, and coronary artery disease compared to the control group.

Study Limitations Exist... "Further Research Needed"

Limitations of the study include diet assessment based on self-reporting, a small sample size, and lack of racial diversity as all participants were British.

The researchers explained, "This study is observational and only shows an association between the diet and increased risk of major heart diseases; it does not prove causation." However, given reports that one in five Americans follows the LCHF diet, they added that further research is warranted.

Dr. Iatan also emphasized that the benefits of the LCHF diet vary among individuals, stating, "What this study reveals is a tendency for LDL cholesterol levels to increase on average when following the LCHF diet."

Health experts pointed out that following the LCHF diet may reduce the intake of healthy foods such as fruits, legumes, and whole grains, which are sources of fiber and various nutrients.

Meanwhile, some studies suggest that following the LCHF diet helps maintain sufficient satiety compared to traditional calorie-restricted diets, supporting sustained weight loss. Therefore, there is also an interpretation that the LCHF diet may be beneficial for conditions where weight reduction is important, such as fatty liver disease or type 2 diabetes.