Atkins Diet May Raise Cholesterol

Anybody who wants to lose weight knows about Atkins' diet.

Sure, it claims to help you lose weight fast and easy - 7-15 pounds in 7 days, which appeals exactly to those who yearn to shape-up yet without sacrificing their meat craving.

But hey, a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine pointed out that low-carbohydrate (low-carb) and high protein diets (like Atkins' diet) can increase your cholesterol levels - bad side effect. And it's referring to both LDL (low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as "bad" cholesterol) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein - "good" cholesterol).

HDL helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol. LDL contributes to plaque build-up on the artery walls, increasing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

The findings came from an analysis of the five clinical trials comparing low-fat diet against low-carb diet. These trials attracted 447 participants whose ages range from 42 to 49 years old. Out of 447 participants, 225 take on low-fat diets while the rest on low-carb.

Both groups were then tested for their weight loss and blood pressure after six and nine months. Just as expected, for the first 6 months, the participants on the low-carb diet lost more weight. After 12 months, the outcome of weight loss and blood pressure turned out the same for both groups.

What raises our concern was that from the results of low-carb diet group, total cholesterol increased throughout the 12-month period. A low-carb diet usually carries high fat, resulting in higher cholesterol level.

However, the results further show that a higher cholesterol level had led to a concurrent increase in both LDL and HDL. They also had a lower level of triglyceride, a type of fat, which LDL carries in the blood.

So, will the beneficial effect (high HDL and low triglyceride levels) of low-carb diet cancel out the apparent negative effects on overall and high LDL cholesterol levels?

Not necessarily. As another study published in the Journal of Lipid Research in 2003 showed that high triglyceride level, high LDL level and low HDL level actually pose independent risk for cardiovascular disease.

So despite what the low-carb diet results yield, we need more evidence to substantiate the conclusion as the study had its limits. The researchers in the low-carb diet report also expressed concern about the effects of the low-carb diet on cholesterol levels and the cardiovascular system as it contains large amounts of fats and proteins.

You're more likely to consume more foods high in saturated fat when you turn to high-protein diet. That increases your calories intake as fat provides more calories per gram than that of carbohydrate. Fat carries 9 calories per gram while carbohydrate holds 4 calories per gram.

You'll put yourself at a higher risk of contracting coronary heart disease if you do not reduce your fat intake.

Other health problems associated with a diet high in protein include kidney failure, high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis and kidney stones. As a guide, an adult should obtain 50 to 60 percent of their calories from carbohydrate, 10 to 15 percent from protein and 20 to 30 percent from fat.

Therefore, I do not advise you to go long term with Atkins' diet that may likely damage your health.

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