Low-carbohydrate diet would increase good cholesterol

Reducing carbohydrates works similarly to remove the fat from the diet to lose weight, but could be better for the heart.In the long term, low-carb diet works the same way that a diet low in fat to lose weight, and might be better for the heart, new research suggests.
Both diets improved the cholesterol level in a two-year study that included intensive group counseling. But those who were under the low-carb diet was a significant increase in the so-called "good cholesterol", almost twice the number who underwent a diet low in fat.In previous studies, low-carbohydrate diets have been better to lose weight in six months, but long-term results have been mixed. And it was suggested that cholesterol levels have been better to eat food low in carbohydrates.

The latest study is one of the longest to compare approaches. At the end of two years, the average weight loss was the same for both: about 6.8 kilograms (15 pounds), 7%.
The crucial difference was in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL, by its initials in English), known as good cholesterol, a 23% increase in the low-carbohydrate diet compared with an improvement of 12% in the diet low in fat, said Gary Foster, director of the Center for Research and Education on Obesity, Temple University, who led the study funded with federal resources.

Foster noted that the improvement achieved by the low-carb diet is the type that could be obtained from the HDL-enhancing drugs.

The beneficts to Low-carbohydrate diet

The findings, published in Tuesday's edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine, are based on a study of 307 adults, of whom two thirds were women. The participants were obese, but had no problems with cholesterol or diabetes.

Half followed a diet low in carbohydrates modeled on the Atkins plan and the other half took a diet low in calories and low in fat. Every attended group sessions to help change bad eating habits, become more active and stick to their diets.
The volunteers had regular reviews of their weight, blood bone density and body composition (percentage of fat, bone and muscle). After two years, there were no major differences between the two diet groups, except in terms of good cholesterol. It is unknown why low-carbohydrate diet had a greater effect on this type of cholesterol, the researchers said.
As plans low carb diet became more popular, experts feared that it would increase the risk of heart disease because it allows more fat. Recent findings suggest that those concerns are unfounded, said Foster.