Low-carb diets may lead to high cholesterol

A low-carbohydrate diet is often an effective way for individuals to reduce their body weight. However, new evidence suggests that it may also be linked to high cholesterol levels, suggesting that many dieters may benefit from a prescription to buy Lipitor.

In the study, which was published in the Nutrition Journal, researchers examined results from a 25-year investigation of dietary interventions in Sweden. The team gathered data following the 1986 implementation of a program that sought to improve food labeling, educate people about nutrition, provide healthy cooking tips and offer other types of nutrition counseling.

The results showed that after eight years, the program helped reduce fat consumption and total cholesterol levels in the population. However, the team observed a sharp spike in fat consumption and cholesterol levels in 2005. They noted that this was the beginning of the use of low-carb diets, which often substitute carbohydrates with fats.

"While low carbohydrate/high fat diets may help short-term weight loss, these results of this Swedish study demonstrate that long-term weight loss is not maintained and that this diet increases blood cholesterol which has a major impact on risk of cardiovascular disease," said lead researcher Ingegerd Johansson.