High cholesterol has been causing bad rap for a long time Poor heart health – However, new research suggests that a low-carbohydrate ketonogenic diet may not be associated with cardiovascular disease.
The study was led by the Biomedical Innovation Institute at Harbor Kura Medical Center, in collaboration with researchers from multiple institutes, and evaluated 100 participants. Long-term keto diet I developed high levels of LDL cholesterol (known as the “bad” type).
Apart from rising cholesterol, all participants were “metabolically healthy,” and according to an April 7 press release, they followed an average of five years of important diets.
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They are all certified as LMHR (Lean Mass Hyper Response). Carbohydrate-restricted food You experience a significant increase in cholesterol.
High cholesterol has long been gaining bad raps due to worsening heart health, but new research suggests that low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may not be associated with cardiovascular disease. (istock)
Using advanced cardiac imaging, the researchers found that traditional cholesterol markers (APOB and LDL-C) were not associated with changes in cardiac artery plaque levels or baseline heart disease for a year.
Instead, existing plaque levels appeared to be a better predictor of future plaque accumulation.
“In the case of ketosis, your LDL rises, and your heart risk isn’t automatically increased just because your LDL is rising,” Bret Scher, medical director at Baszucki Group, who funded the study, told Fox News Digital.
“I’m a heart surgeon and this is what I cook for dinner.”
“Therefore, there is a high chance that we will move from LDL and ApoB to vascular imaging using CAC or CTA to improve risk predictions and inform you of how or how to treat someone else’s heart risk factors,” the California-based doctor added.
The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances.

Using advanced cardiac imaging, the researchers found that traditional cholesterol markers (APOB and LDL-C) were not associated with changes in cardiac artery plaque levels or baseline heart disease for a year. (istock)
Previous studies have shown that people eligible as LMHRs have similar levels of coronary plaque as comparable groups with normal LDL levels,” stressing that increased ketogenic diet-induced LDL does not indicate a higher risk of coronary plaque.
Dr. Nick Norwitz, a research leader and independent researcher at Oxford University, noted that this was the first study to isolate LDL and APOB, which are extremely high as risk factors for heart disease.
“All other human studies include populations with metabolic dysfunction or congenital individuals. Genetic causes High LDL,” he told Fox News Digital.
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According to Norwitz, the results appear to be inconsistent with what most clinicians predicted that doctors teach in medical training.
“These data do not prove that traditional understandings are “wrong,” but themselves suggest that traditional models have large blind spots. ”

This was the first prospective trial of this species in a unique population that is often labelled “high risk” by traditional guidelines, and one doctor said he raised an important question about how cardiovascular risk is assessed in the context of a low-carbohydrate high-fat diet. (istock)
According to Norwitz, cardiac imaging, including CAC scores, has “much more value” Cholesterol levels When predicting the progression of plaque.
“Therefore, we use CAC scores to help put patients at risk and personalize care,” he told Fox News Digital.
Shell pointed out that “ketonogenic therapy” is effective in treating certain metabolic-related conditions, but some people fear they will continue on the keto diet due to cholesterol.
“The study provides support that they don’t necessarily need to stop eating or treat cholesterol. Healthcare Team For a more personalized and appropriate heart work-up,” he advised.
I raise important questions
With family doctor, Dr. Ken Berry Diabetes Expert In Tennessee, he was not involved in the research, but he shared his thoughts on what he described as a “groundbreaking” study.
“This study found no association between LDL-C, APOB and coronary plaque progression over a year using high-resolution CT angiography,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Instead, the strongest predictor of plaque progression was the existing plaque rather than cholesterol levels. Researchers concluded that “plaque produces plaque, and Apob does not.” ”

While existing plaque levels appeared to be a better predictor of future plaque accumulation, some experts warned that limitations existed. (istock)
He said this was the first prospective trial of this species in a unique population that is often labelled “high risk” by traditional guidelines, and raised important questions about how cardiovascular risk is assessed in the context of low carbohydrates. High-fat diet.
“The obvious meaning is, if very high APOB levels are not a good predictor of heart attack risk for this particular group, which group is it a good predictor?” he said.
“Or just the latest popular lab tests used to scare people from eating the right thing, as I suspect. Human diet Is it rich in saturated fat? ”
Potential research limitations
Dr. Bradley Selwer, cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vital Solutions, a Cincinnati-based company that provides cardiovascular and anesthesia services to hospitals around the country, reviewed the research and pointed out some potential limitations.
“The limited scope of this study includes low-risk populations over a short period of time, making it difficult to generalize the findings to a wider and vulnerable population,” Serwer told Fox News Digital.
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“The purpose of this study was to propose a hypothesis regarding the role of cholesterol in diet, but does not provide conclusive evidence of either or against its importance.”
However, cardiologists agree with the author’s conclusion that “improve risk stratification tools” is essential to identifying individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease.

The effects of a ketone diet can be measured using a ketosis meter. “We hope that doctors will accept this study, treat people who are different from other patients and understand the unique physiological state of ketosis and the metabolic benefits it provides,” the researchers said. (istock)
“As physicians, our primary responsibility is to work together through shared decisions to evaluate each patient individually and develop the most appropriate long-term care plan,” he added.
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Michelle Lutenstein, a New York City registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease, noted that the plaque layer is a multi-stage process that takes years to advance.
“The arterial environment needs to promote the plaque layer,” Routhenstein, who was not part of the study, told Fox News Digital.
“This is an incredible group of humans who exhibit amazing physiology.”
“For example, individuals Hypertensionsubgroups excluded from the study are more likely to cause endothelial damage, which can cause ApoB to be easily deposited by the arterial wall. ”
“If someone already has plaque in their arteries and their levels of LDL and APOB are high, it could develop into more plaques, as seen in this study.”
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“But if someone does Metabolic healthwith no plaque at baseline and only APOB and LDL levels rising, the environment does not necessarily form plaque for a year. ”
Routhenstein pointed to previous studies showing that LDL and Apob over the life of someone over many years, usually combined with inflammation, insulin resistance, and/or oxidative stress.

“It’s important to note that many people who are doing ketogenic diets and ignore high LDL and APOB levels don’t usually know that there is soft plaque brewing,” the nutritionist said. (istock)
“It’s important to note that many people who implement ketogenic diets and ignore high LDL and APOB levels don’t know that there is usually soft plaque brewing,” she added.
“Therefore, it can be harmful to advise you to ignore LDL and APOB levels, especially in a world where heart disease is very common and the leading cause of death worldwide.”
Looking ahead
Shah said he hopes more researchers get inspiration Furthermore this study Applies to a variety of groups.
“But for now, I hope that doctors will accept this study, treat people who are different from other patients, and understand the unique physiological state of ketosis and the metabolic benefits it provides,” he said.
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In addition to more studies assessing the risks of this population, Norwitz said the team would like to further explore the mechanisms of the lean mass overresponder (LMHR) phenotype.
“This is an incredible group of humans who exhibit amazing physiology,” he added.