#NutritionalTrends

A new study challenges the idea that a low-carb ketogenic diet automatically raises heart disease risk, even when LDL cholesterol levels rise. Researchers from The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center conducted long-term analyses and published the work in a leading cardiology journal. For Thai readers, the findings invite a nuanced look at how diet, cholesterol, and heart health intersect in daily life.

The study followed 100 participants labeled as “lean mass hyper-responders” who restricted carbohydrates and experienced higher LDL cholesterol. Over five years, these individuals did not show an increased risk of heart disease when assessed with advanced cardiac imaging. The researchers emphasize that plaque buildup in the arteries, measured through imaging, may be a more reliable predictor of future cardiovascular risk than LDL levels alone. This perspective shifts the focus from traditional cholesterol metrics to vascular health markers, offering a more personalized view of risk.

A groundbreaking study has suggested that following a low-carb ketogenic diet may not increase the risk of heart disease, despite elevated levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often labeled as “bad” cholesterol. Conducted by The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, this research casts doubt on long-standing assumptions about cholesterol and heart health. This development holds significant implications not just globally but also for health-conscious individuals in Thailand who are embracing the keto diet as part of a lifestyle shift.