For years, the prevailing view among medical authorities has been that the Atkins Diet is dangerous. Kidney failure, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease has been said to result from following low-carb diets. Recent scientific research published May 3, 2010 brings that theory into question. The findings, however, are not new. Prior short-term scientific studies found similar results.
Improved Cardiovascular Health on a Low Carb Diet: Previous Scientific Studies
Previously, short-term scientific studies by Frederick Samaha, MD and Gary Foster, PhD (six months and one year, respectively) demonstrated positive effects from following a low-carbohydrate diet. Samaha and colleagues found low-carb diets reduced triglycerides and improved insulin sensitivity. Foster discovered significantly greater increases in HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol), drastically lowered triglycerides, and no change in LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) than the low-fat diet plan.
In an article on the University of Pennsylvania Health System’s website, “One-Year Study of Atkins Diet Shows Surprising Results, Penn Researchers Report,” just before Foster’s study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine he said their “initial findings suggest that such diets may not have the adverse effects that were anticipated.” Despite healthy cholesterol levels, Foster questioned whether the effects would continue throughout a maintenance program.
Current Scientific Study on the Atkins Diet, Cholesterol, and Heart Disease
Although Foster’s previous one-year study found the Atkins Diet to have beneficial effects on cholesterol and heart disease, his most recent diet-study results published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, “Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After 2 Years on a Low-Carbohydrate Verses Low-Fat Diet,” were not what he expected.
The scientific study consisted of 307 obese patients assigned to either Atkins Induction (20 grams of carbohydrate daily for three months, then a five gram per day increase per week until the patient achieved desired weight) or a standard low-fat diet plan (1200 to 1800 calories per day with no more than 30% of those calories coming from fat).
During the first six months, the low-carb group had a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LVDL) than the low-fat group. They also had larger increases (23%) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) at all time points during the study. Bone mineral density and kidney function didn’t change with either group.
These results didn’t change throughout the entire two-year study. In addition, the slight increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) seen in the first few weeks returned to normal or was lower. Foster reported that low-carb diets had favorable changes in cardiovascular health making them a viable option for weight loss diets.
Raising HDL Cholesterol Levels Helps Lower LDL Cholesterol
The purpose of focusing on cholesterol levels is to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve health. While most individuals focus on lowering LDL levels, raising HDL can be even more beneficial.
LDL carries cholesterol to the body’s tissues. If LDL builds up in artery walls, it can lead to narrowed arteries and plaque. HDL is known as good cholesterol because it picks up the LDL cholesterol and carries it back to the liver to be recycled or removed from the body. Since HDL’s job is to rid the body of excess bad cholesterol, the higher the HDL level, the greater the health benefits.
Long-term Atkins Diet Results in Healthy Cholesterol Levels
The Atkins Diet, as well as other low-carbohydrate diets, has been opposed by medical authorities for many years. Although initial scientific studies found these weight loss diets to result in healthy cholesterol levels, it was thought that following a low-carb diet long-term posed serious risks to the dieter.
A recent scientific study has questioned that theory. After following the Atkins Diet for two years, participants still showed increased HDL, lowered triglycerides, and normal LDL levels or less. Raising HDL cholesterol levels improves the body’s ability to eliminate excess LDL cholesterol, thus improving cholesterol and heart disease risks.
For further information on the effects of the Atkins Diet on LDL levels, read Does The Atkins Diet Raise LDL Cholesterol Levels? If having trouble understanding the differences between LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and their individual roles in healthy cholesterol levels, Damaged LDL Cholesterol Sets the Stage for Heart Disease might be of help.
Sources:
University of Pennsylvania Health System, May 2003, “One-Year Study of Atkins Diet Shows Surprising Results, Penn Researchers Report” (accessed August 7, 2010)
Annals of Internal Medicine, Foster, G. et al, “ Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After 2 Years on a Low-Carbohydrate Verses Low-Fat Diet. A Randomized Trial,” 153:1, 147-157, August 3, 2010
Eades, Michael R., MD and Eades, Mary Dann, MD, The Protein Power Lifeplan: A New Comprehensive Blueprint for Optimal Health, Warner Books, 2000
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
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