Open Future Health

From "British Journal of Sports Medicine"

2017; 51: pages 133-139 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096491

Evidence that supports the prescription of
low-carbohydrate high-fat diets: a narrative review

The effects of low-carbohydrate high-fat diets on some cardiovascular risk factors

Low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diets are a highly contentious current topic in nutrition. This narrative review aims to provide clinicians with a broad overview of the effects of LCHF diets on body weight, glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors while addressing some common concerns and misconceptions. Blood total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations show a variable, highly individual response to LCHF diets, and should be monitored in patients adhering to this diet.

Marker Effect Mean change (95% CI)
Weight (kg) Decreases -7.04 (-7.20 to -6.98)
BMI (kg/m2) Decreases -2.09 (-2.15 to -2.04)
Abdominal circumference (cm) Decreases -5.74 (-6.07 to -5.41)
Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) Decreases -4.80 (-5.53 to -4.29)
Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) Decreases -3.10 (-3.45 to -2.74)
HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) Increases +1.73 (1.44 to 2.01)
LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) No significant change (variable) -0.48 (-1.53 to 0.57)
Plasma triglycerides (mg/dL) Decreases -29.71 (-31.99 to -27.44)
Glycated haemoglobin (%) Decreases -0.21 (-0.24 to -0.18)
Plasma insulin (µIU/mL) Decreases -2.24 (-2.65 to -1.82)
  • Adapted, with permission, from Santos et al.

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