Will A Low-carb Diet Reduce Ldl Levels?

LDL is low density lipoprotein, a form of cholesterol produced from the consumption of foods with high saturated fat content. LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because it causes plaque that contributes to atherosclerosis, a condition marked by unhealthy narrowing of artery walls. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that a healthy diet should include an approximate ratio of 55 to 60 percent carbohydrate, 20 percent protein and less than 25 percent fat sources. Carbohydrates make up less than 20 percent of a low-carb diet. These diets are claimed to promote weight loss while generating greater amounts of HDL, the high density lipoprotein known as "good" cholesterol because it removes LDL from artery walls.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a naturally occurring chemical that is essential to human health. Its primary functions include keeping membranes flexible, providing a protective coating for interior artery walls, contributing to hormone production and essential bile acid for enzyme manufacture. It also supports vitamin D synthesis achieved by the effect of sunlight's UVB rays on cholesterol in skin cells. In addition to cholesterol produced within the body, foods such as eggs, meats, dairy products and poultry have significant cholesterol amounts. There is not necessarily a correlation between high fat content in a food and its cholesterol level. LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are the three human cholesterol types.

LDL

High LDL levels are universally accepted as an important contributor to various serious cardiovascular conditions, including heart disease and stroke. Balanced diet, regular exercise and prescription cholesterol-reducing medications are the commonly recommended methods to reduce LDL levels. Low carb diet studies contradicted this conventional wisdom. These diets first became popular in the 1980s as weight loss programs. Studies also suggested that low carb / high fat diets forced the body to produce more HDL. There is no consensus among medical experts as to the best diet to promote lower LDL levels,according to an article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are compounds comprising carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that are formed into sugars and starches that the human body processes into glucose, its main energy fuel. Carbohydrates are also an important source of nutrients such as vitamins and phytochemicals essential to human health. Low carb diets are based on the principle that if the body cannot access carbohydrates for its energy needs, by default it will process available fat for energy conversion. Specific low carb diets will stimulate weight loss in conjunction with regular exercise, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

Factors

Research confirms that no two persons respond in the same ways to any diet. LDL levels and other health impacts observed in low carb diets will vary due to individual factors such as genetic predisposition to weight gain, pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems, and physical fitness levels. As a general rule, a person who follows a low carb diet, coupled with regular exercise, will expect to lose approximately the same amount of weight over time as someone on a balanced diet program.

Risks and Benefits

Increased LDL levels are a proven risk to cardiovascular health. The long term health effects of low carb diets have not been conclusively determined. Low carb diets may contribute to reduced consumption of the nutrients commonly ingested from carbohydrate sources in balanced diets, such as vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Diabetes patients who need to keep insulin levels moderated have had success with low carb diets combined with physical exercise, according to the journal "Nutrition and Metabolism." Low carb diets should only be undertaken after consultation with a physician or nutritional specialist.