A recent study led by a team of health and nutrition specialists from the University of Bath, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Bristol, Oxford University Hospital Trusts, Maastricht University, and the Teagasc Food Research Center, has found that a ketogenic diet may have significant impacts on cholesterol levels and gut health.
Their findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, reveal that while the diet can lead to fat loss, it also appears to increase LDL cholesterol levels, raise apolipoprotein B levels, and reduce certain beneficial gut bacteria.
The ketogenic diet is known for its drastic reduction in carbohydrate intake, which is replaced by high-fat foods such as meat, dairy, cheese, eggs, and avocados. This shift forces the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.
While the diet has been shown to help with weight loss, previous studies have also indicated potential health risks, including nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, kidney stones, and bone health problems over the long term.
In this new study, the research team sought to explore whether the ketogenic diet might also lead to increases in LDL cholesterol—often referred to as “bad” cholesterol—and other related health concerns.
To investigate, they conducted a randomized controlled trial with 53 non-obese adult volunteers.
The participants were divided into three groups: one-third followed a ketogenic diet, another third followed a low-sugar diet, and the final third adhered to a moderate diet, serving as the control group.
After a month, the researchers conducted medical evaluations to assess changes in the participants’ health.
They found that those on the ketogenic diet lost an average of 1.6 kg of fat, but they also experienced a 16% increase in LDL cholesterol levels and a 26% increase in apolipoprotein B, a protein associated with artery blockage and cardiovascular risk.
In contrast, participants on the low-sugar diet lost an average of 1 kg of fat and showed a 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, with no change in apolipoprotein B levels.
The study also uncovered changes in gut health among those on the ketogenic diet. The researchers observed a reduction in specific gut bacteria that are known to play a role in maintaining a strong immune system and producing vitamin B.
These changes suggest that the diet might not only impact cardiovascular health but could also have broader implications for overall health due to alterations in the gut microbiome.
These findings add to the growing body of research that highlights both the benefits and potential risks of the ketogenic diet.
While the diet can be effective for fat loss, the associated increases in LDL cholesterol and reductions in beneficial gut bacteria raise concerns about its long-term impact on health.
The study’s authors emphasize the importance of considering these potential risks when deciding whether to follow a ketogenic diet, particularly for those who may already be at risk for cardiovascular issues.
They suggest that further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of the diet and to explore strategies for mitigating any negative health outcomes associated with it.
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The research findings can be found in Cell Reports Medicine.
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