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research: high-fat low-carb diets could mean significant heart risk

ndj1979
ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
edited November 30 in Debate Club
I found this article interesting and it links to the study referenced. Here is a snippet:

The research study, conducted among a group of obese pre-diabetic adults, compared the results of following a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet (20% fat, 60% carbohydrate) with a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate). It showed that in all areas, other than the risk of cardiovascular disease, the diets have equal health benefits. The same amount of weight is lost; there is no significant difference in the body’s glucose uptake or production; and meal tolerance-related insulin secretion is comparable. However, the study revealed a significant difference in overall systemic arterial stiffness and pointed to increased cardiovascular risk factors from high-fat low-carbohydrate diets.

Interesting, as our LCHF friends like to tell us that there is absolutely no reason to worry about exceeding your fat minimum by 50% of the RDA; however, don't eat carbs because those are bad and will lead to weight gain.

Link to full article:
http://www.sugarnutrition.org.uk/news/new-research-high-fat-low-carb-diets-could-mean-significant-heart-risk/
Link to Study (at bottom of article)
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2009/08/23/db09-0098.abstract

discuss…..
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Replies

  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    edited March 2016
    I don't know that I'd call it "new" (appears to have been published in 2009 if I'm reading correctly?)

    But I can't say as I've seen this one before...so it is new to me.

    Without reading the full study - I wonder, how do they go about measuring arterial stiffness?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    edited March 2016
    I don't know that I'd call it "new" (appears to have been published in 2009 if I'm reading correctly?)

    But I can't say as I've seen this one before...so it is new to me.

    Without reading the full study - I wonder, how do they go about measuring arterial stiffness?

    New In the past seven years...
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    "Research Design and Methods: We investigated a low-fat (20% fat, 60% carbohydrate) versus a low-carbohydrate (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate) weight reduction diet " so not quite what most would call LCHF.
    The change in overall systemic arterial stiffness, was, however,
    significantly different between diets (P=0.04); this reflected a significant decrease in
    augmentation index following the low-fat diet, compared to a non-significant increase within the
    low-carbohydrate group
    .

    OK, so nothing deteriorated in the lower carb group but the high carb group saw a change in this parameter.

    The triglycerides dropped markedly on low carb
    Triglycerides (mmol/l) 1.59 ± 0.55 0.91 ± 0.33 <0.01

    as these are generally associated with heart disease this looks like a benefit.

    @psulemon should enjoy the funding :smile:
    This study was supported by RRG
    5.42 (PI SJH) from the Northern Ireland
    Department of Health and Social Services
    Research and Development Office and by an
    unrestricted research grant from The Sugar
    Bureau (UK)
    .
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    yarwell wrote: »
    "Research Design and Methods: We investigated a low-fat (20% fat, 60% carbohydrate) versus a low-carbohydrate (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate) weight reduction diet " so not quite what most would call LCHF.
    The change in overall systemic arterial stiffness, was, however,
    significantly different between diets (P=0.04); this reflected a significant decrease in
    augmentation index following the low-fat diet, compared to a non-significant increase within the
    low-carbohydrate group
    .

    OK, so nothing deteriorated in the lower carb group but the high carb group saw a change in this parameter.

    The triglycerides dropped markedly on low carb
    Triglycerides (mmol/l) 1.59 ± 0.55 0.91 ± 0.33 <0.01

    as these are generally associated with heart disease this looks like a benefit.

    @psulemon should enjoy the funding :smile:
    This study was supported by RRG
    5.42 (PI SJH) from the Northern Ireland
    Department of Health and Social Services
    Research and Development Office and by an
    unrestricted research grant from The Sugar
    Bureau (UK)
    .

    haha, nice.

    Tagging to read later.
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    The study mentions " Furthermore the type of fat in a low-carbohydrate diet i.e. saturated/trans fat versus mono/polyunsaturated fat may be important". I have to wonder if the LCHF group had more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat whether the outcome would have been different.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    The study mentions " Furthermore the type of fat in a low-carbohydrate diet i.e. saturated/trans fat versus mono/polyunsaturated fat may be important". I have to wonder if the LCHF group had more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat whether the outcome would have been different.

    @yarwell had a study that showed that at one point. Funny as it was just mentioned about funding source. The one he's referenced before was done by the Atkins instituted. It featured maintenance calorie diets were LCHF showed improvements in triglycerides I believe, but I think not LDL, and an increased HDL, if I remember the studys' results. The buried lead is that the diet was rather high in mono and poly unsaturated fats compared to the control diet. Still, it would tend to indicate a LCHF emphasizing the unsaturated fats will improve lipid profile.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    senecarr wrote: »
    The study mentions " Furthermore the type of fat in a low-carbohydrate diet i.e. saturated/trans fat versus mono/polyunsaturated fat may be important". I have to wonder if the LCHF group had more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat whether the outcome would have been different.

    @yarwell had a study that showed that at one point. Funny as it was just mentioned about funding source. The one he's referenced before was done by the Atkins instituted. It featured maintenance calorie diets were LCHF showed improvements in triglycerides I believe, but I think not LDL, and an increased HDL, if I remember the studys' results. The buried lead is that the diet was rather high in mono and poly unsaturated fats compared to the control diet. Still, it would tend to indicate a LCHF emphasizing the unsaturated fats will improve lipid profile.

    I believe you are correct.

    IRT the bold, I think that is one of the main reasons why the Mediterranean diet is ranked as one of the healthiest diets.
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    Hmmmmm.... all blood markers improve on low carb, high fat diet, yet deteriorate on high carb, low fat diets....yet we are to believe this "study"??? I think not. ;)
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    The study mentions " Furthermore the type of fat in a low-carbohydrate diet i.e. saturated/trans fat versus mono/polyunsaturated fat may be important". I have to wonder if the LCHF group had more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat whether the outcome would have been different.

    @yarwell had a study that showed that at one point. Funny as it was just mentioned about funding source. The one he's referenced before was done by the Atkins instituted. It featured maintenance calorie diets were LCHF showed improvements in triglycerides I believe, but I think not LDL, and an increased HDL, if I remember the studys' results. The buried lead is that the diet was rather high in mono and poly unsaturated fats compared to the control diet. Still, it would tend to indicate a LCHF emphasizing the unsaturated fats will improve lipid profile.

    So we have two studies with polar opposite "unrestricted" funding sources both finding reduced triglycerides on an LCHF diet. Sounds like a conclusion.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    senecarr wrote: »
    The study mentions " Furthermore the type of fat in a low-carbohydrate diet i.e. saturated/trans fat versus mono/polyunsaturated fat may be important". I have to wonder if the LCHF group had more unsaturated fat and less saturated fat whether the outcome would have been different.

    @yarwell had a study that showed that at one point. Funny as it was just mentioned about funding source. The one he's referenced before was done by the Atkins instituted. It featured maintenance calorie diets were LCHF showed improvements in triglycerides I believe, but I think not LDL, and an increased HDL, if I remember the studys' results. The buried lead is that the diet was rather high in mono and poly unsaturated fats compared to the control diet. Still, it would tend to indicate a LCHF emphasizing the unsaturated fats will improve lipid profile.

    So we have two studies with polar opposite "unrestricted" funding sources both finding reduced triglycerides on an LCHF diet. Sounds like a conclusion.

    The replacing saturated fats in the diet with other sources of calories tends to improve lipid profiles? Particularly replacement with poly and mono unsaturated? I'd support that conclusion.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    edited March 2016
    LOL. You say that triglycerides are unrelated to carbohydrate intake ? Evidence ?

    "carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11584104

    http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/12/2/94.abstract (diabetics) 40% vs 60% carbs crossover same sat/polyunsat ratio triglycerides +30% on higher carb.

    Maybe there's a threshold where this starts, be good to know for health.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    LOL. You say that triglycerides are unrelated to carbohydrate intake ? Evidence ?

    "carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11584104

    http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/12/2/94.abstract (diabetics) 40% vs 60% carbs crossover same sat/polyunsat ratio triglycerides +30% on higher carb.

    Maybe there's a threshold where this starts, be good to know for health.

    Wasn't my claim, nor anyone else's that I see. I just wasn't extrapolating it from the studies mentioned. I'd say that replacing non-fiber carbs with mono and poly unsaturated fats has a similar lipid improvement effect. Though I'd expect the lipid effect to be more exercise / activity level dependent an effect for carbohydrates than for saturated fats.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Here's another with 11/12 men on a 2-week Atkins induction program reducing a measure of CVD risk. One guy went the other way but details not presented.

    "After 14 days, BMI and triglycerides decreased significantly, while HDL-C increased."
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    Here's another with 11/12 men on a 2-week Atkins induction program reducing a measure of CVD risk. One guy went the other way but details not presented.

    "After 14 days, BMI and triglycerides decreased significantly, while HDL-C increased."

    Yeah, BMI and triglcyerides improved. I'm actually surprised the 12th guy had issues if his BMI dropped too.
  • This content has been removed.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Tagging to read later.
  • soulofgrace
    soulofgrace Posts: 175 Member
    shell1005 wrote: »
    14 Days? They should have renamed the study "The effects of 12 adults when they lose a bunch of water weight and a significant less amount of fat."

    Haha! "BMI improved" over 14 days. Right. 12 men; 14 days. Absolutely groundbreaking research.
  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    I think it is interesting that they noticed a difference in arterial stiffness in 14 days, but sample size is too small, and arterial stiffness following a short diet intervention period isn't exactly something you can extrapolate to equate to CVD risk. Also, one study's findings do not mean a thing until they are replicated.
    Always be cautious on studies of diet and especially on the media's overstating of the results. Diet is very hard to accurately measure because people misreport it (among other problems).
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    aub6689 wrote: »
    I think it is interesting that they noticed a difference in arterial stiffness in 14 days, but sample size is too small, and arterial stiffness following a short diet intervention period isn't exactly something you can extrapolate to equate to CVD risk. Also, one study's findings do not mean a thing until they are replicated.
    Always be cautious on studies of diet and especially on the media's overstating of the results. Diet is very hard to accurately measure because people misreport it (among other problems).

    that is why I threw out for discussion ...
  • mindyhope
    mindyhope Posts: 4 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I found this article interesting and it links to the study referenced. Here is a snippet:

    The research study, conducted among a group of obese pre-diabetic adults, compared the results of following a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet (20% fat, 60% carbohydrate) with a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate). It showed that in all areas, other than the risk of cardiovascular disease, the diets have equal health benefits. The same amount of weight is lost; there is no significant difference in the body’s glucose uptake or production; and meal tolerance-related insulin secretion is comparable. However, the study revealed a significant difference in overall systemic arterial stiffness and pointed to increased cardiovascular risk factors from high-fat low-carbohydrate diets.

    Interesting, as our LCHF friends like to tell us that there is absolutely no reason to worry about exceeding your fat minimum by 50% of the RDA; however, don't eat carbs because those are bad and will lead to weight gain.

    Link to full article:
    http://www.sugarnutrition.org.uk/news/new-research-high-fat-low-carb-diets-could-mean-significant-heart-risk/
    Link to Study (at bottom of article)
    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2009/08/23/db09-0098.abstract

    discuss…..
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I found this article interesting and it links to the study referenced. Here is a snippet:

    The research study, conducted among a group of obese pre-diabetic adults, compared the results of following a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet (20% fat, 60% carbohydrate) with a high-fat low-carbohydrate diet (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate). It showed that in all areas, other than the risk of cardiovascular disease, the diets have equal health benefits. The same amount of weight is lost; there is no significant difference in the body’s glucose uptake or production; and meal tolerance-related insulin secretion is comparable. However, the study revealed a significant difference in overall systemic arterial stiffness and pointed to increased cardiovascular risk factors from high-fat low-carbohydrate diets.

    Interesting, as our LCHF friends like to tell us that there is absolutely no reason to worry about exceeding your fat minimum by 50% of the RDA; however, don't eat carbs because those are bad and will lead to weight gain.

    Link to full article:
    http://www.sugarnutrition.org.uk/news/new-research-high-fat-low-carb-diets-could-mean-significant-heart-risk/
    Link to Study (at bottom of article)
    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2009/08/23/db09-0098.abstract

    discuss…..

  • mindyhope
    mindyhope Posts: 4 Member
    I am less hungry when I'm on more fats lower carbs than vice versa.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    mindyhope wrote: »
    I am less hungry when I'm on more fats lower carbs than vice versa.

    ok, but that is not what this thread is about...
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    mindyhope wrote: »
    I am less hungry when I'm on more fats lower carbs than vice versa.

    Do you think it is because your arteries stiffen and keep your stomach in place? :)
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    shell1005 wrote: »
    14 Days? They should have renamed the study "The effects of 12 adults when they lose a bunch of water weight and a significant less amount of fat."

    the discussion is about the triglycerides or heart risk, please don't divert.

    What is the effect of water weight on triglycerides, or is that not in the playbook.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    LOL at all the denial.

    So, half of a group of obese diabetics were put on a carb restricted diet and the other half on calorie restriction. After the initial study period many of the controls switched over to the carb restricted diet. Of the five controls that did not switch four suffered at least one heart event in the 4 yr follow up and two died. 80% prevalence of heart disease.

    In the carb restricted originals and convertors two patients had heart related events.
    Cardiovascular disease
    We have examined medical charts for episodes of cardiovascular disease beginning 3 months after the initiation of the diet therapy.

    Among the 16 patients in the low-carbohydrate diet group (41 months observations time) and among the 7 controls that changed from the high-carbohydrate diet to the opposite (33 months observations time) – totalling 23 patients – 2 patients have suffered cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart failure respectively (8.5%. 95% confidence interval (CI 95%): 1.0–28.0). One patient without known cardiac disease has died suddenly. Autopsy showed no sign of coronary thrombosis, myocardial infarction or stroke. The cause of death unknown but assumed to be general atherosclerosis.

    As for the 3 controls who switched diet at later dates, there has been no occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

    Four patients (80%. CI 95%: 28.3–99.5) among the 5 controls that never attempted any change of diet have suffered several heart infarctions followed by heart failure. Two of them have died from their heart disease (p = 0.025. Fischer Exact).

    http://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-7075-5-14

    So this carb restricted diet study clearly found no issues with heart risk over an extended follow-up, unlike the control diet with its body count.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Another carbohydrate restriction study in diabetics, with a control, not aiming for weight loss (though some happened in both groups). http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/53/9/2375.full

    A is the control diet, B is the 20% carb low GL intervention, before and after 5 weeks. The fasting Triglycerides were 40% lower on the low carb arm :

    F6.medium.gif
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Copy of an old discussion from when the OP study was published is at http://www.michaelmooney.net/SugarIndustryAttacksLowCarbs.html
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    edited March 2016
    aub6689 wrote: »
    I think it is interesting that they noticed a difference in arterial stiffness in 14 days, but sample size is too small, and arterial stiffness following a short diet intervention period isn't exactly something you can extrapolate to equate to CVD risk. Also, one study's findings do not mean a thing until they are replicated.
    Always be cautious on studies of diet and especially on the media's overstating of the results. Diet is very hard to accurately measure because people misreport it (among other problems).

    One could have one's own arterial stiffness measured at the start of, and then a few weeks into, a dietary change. It can be done non-invasively. That's a lot sooner than you can measure triglycerides and cholesterol, and while there is a fair amount of disagreement over optimal cholesterol levels, I haven't heard of anyone saying that increased arterial stiffness is good.
  • RebeccaNaegle
    RebeccaNaegle Posts: 236 Member
    I cant see any reasoning behind a high fat low carb diet unless directed by your doctor. I personally love my carbs!
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I cant see any reasoning behind a high fat low carb diet unless directed by your doctor. I personally love my carbs!

    For exactly the same reason that you love carbs, some people personally love their cream, well-marbled steaks, avocados, and nuts.
This discussion has been closed.