Low-Carb Diet, Good & Bad for You
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: June 27, 2012
Women who use Atkins-style diets to lose weight may be at greater risk of heart disease or stroke.
A study in the British Medical Journal followed 43,000 women. Among those on low carbohydrate, high protein diets, researchers saw a 28% increase in the number of heart-related cases. Their conclusion is that the potential harm from these diets outweighs the benefits of weight loss.
However, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the benefits of a low-carb diet. It suggests diets that reduce the surge in blood sugar after a meal--either low-glycemic index or very-low carbohydrate may be preferable to a low-fat diet for people trying to achieve lasting weight loss.
The study also finds that the low-glycemic index diet had similar benefits to the very low-carb diet without negative effects of stress and inflammation that can lead to heart disease and diabetes in people on the very low-carb diet.
A study in the British Medical Journal followed 43,000 women. Among those on low carbohydrate, high protein diets, researchers saw a 28% increase in the number of heart-related cases. Their conclusion is that the potential harm from these diets outweighs the benefits of weight loss.
However, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the benefits of a low-carb diet. It suggests diets that reduce the surge in blood sugar after a meal--either low-glycemic index or very-low carbohydrate may be preferable to a low-fat diet for people trying to achieve lasting weight loss.
The study also finds that the low-glycemic index diet had similar benefits to the very low-carb diet without negative effects of stress and inflammation that can lead to heart disease and diabetes in people on the very low-carb diet.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.