The ketogenic diet reveals surprises about cholesterol 🧐

A one-year study of 100 lean and metabolically healthy individuals following a ketogenic diet reveals surprising results.


Researchers at the Lundquist Institute conducted this study on individuals who had been following a ketogenic diet for approximately five years. Contrary to expectations, traditional cholesterol markers did not predict heart disease risk in this specific group. The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, challenge some established beliefs.

The study focuses on 'Lean Mass Hyper-Responders', a unique metabolic profile with high LDL-C and ApoB levels but no other risk markers. CT angiographies showed no progression of arterial plaque related to these elevated levels. This suggests that other factors, such as initial plaque presence, are more determining.

The lipid theory, which directly links LDL cholesterol to heart disease, is thus being questioned for this population. The authors emphasize the importance of personalized cardiovascular risk assessment, especially for those following low-carb diets.

The implications of this study are far-reaching, particularly for individuals using the ketogenic diet to manage chronic conditions. Doctors may need to reconsider their approach to cardiovascular risk in these patients, possibly favoring cardiac imaging for more accurate assessment.

This research paves the way for a better understanding of the interactions between diet, metabolism, and heart health. It calls for a multidisciplinary and personalized approach to assessing cardiovascular risk, especially in individuals with atypical metabolic profiles.

The researchers, including Dr. Matthew Budoff, stress the need for further studies to confirm these findings. They hope this will lead to more nuanced recommendations for people following specific diets, like keto, for health reasons.

What is the Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR) profile?

The LMHR profile describes lean, metabolically healthy individuals who show elevated LDL-C and ApoB levels following a low-carb diet. These individuals typically have low triglycerides, high HDL, and low insulin resistance.

This phenomenon intrigues scientists as it contradicts traditional expectations about cholesterol and heart health. LMHRs appear to benefit from a unique metabolism that protects them from the harmful effects typically associated with high LDL levels.

Research on LMHRs is still in its early stages, but it could revolutionize our understanding of the links between diet, metabolism, and cardiovascular risk. It highlights the complexity of individual responses to dietary patterns.

How does the ketogenic diet influence heart health?

The ketogenic diet, high in fats and low in carbohydrates, is known for its effects on weight loss and blood sugar control. However, its impact on heart health is more controversial, particularly due to the LDL level increases it may cause.

This study suggests that for some individuals, this increase doesn't translate to higher heart disease risk. This could be due to poorly understood protective mechanisms, such as better utilization of fats as an energy source.

These findings underscore the importance of not generalizing nutritional recommendations. They call for a more nuanced approach that considers individual characteristics and specific metabolic responses.