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Low-Fat Diets Better for Heart than Low-Carb
by
findingDulcinea Staff
A study showing the disadvantages of low-carb diets with regard to cardiovascular health provides a reason to be wary of Atkins-style diets.
30-Second Summary
During a six-week study, researchers found “reduced flow-mediated dilation” in the arm artery of participants on a low-carb diet. The condition is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
"Low-carbohydrate diets are significantly higher in total grams of fat, protein, dietary cholesterol and saturated fats than are low-fat diets,” said Dr. Shane Phillips, one of the facilitators of the study.
The study suggests that while low-carb diets may help people lose weight and maintain a low blood pressure, the higher fat content is detrimental to heart health.
However, conflicting studies may mean the low-carb/low-fat debate continues for some time.
Another study released in February showed that, although doctors generally recommend low-fat diets to prevent type 2 diabetes, low-carb diets might be just as good or better at preventing the disease.
It could be some time before medical experts determine the very best diet overall.
The continued popularity of the low-carb Atkins diet is not mystery, argues William Saletan in Slate. There aren’t many dietary regimens that allow people to eat sausage and cream cheese.
"Low-carbohydrate diets are significantly higher in total grams of fat, protein, dietary cholesterol and saturated fats than are low-fat diets,” said Dr. Shane Phillips, one of the facilitators of the study.
The study suggests that while low-carb diets may help people lose weight and maintain a low blood pressure, the higher fat content is detrimental to heart health.
However, conflicting studies may mean the low-carb/low-fat debate continues for some time.
Another study released in February showed that, although doctors generally recommend low-fat diets to prevent type 2 diabetes, low-carb diets might be just as good or better at preventing the disease.
It could be some time before medical experts determine the very best diet overall.
The continued popularity of the low-carb Atkins diet is not mystery, argues William Saletan in Slate. There aren’t many dietary regimens that allow people to eat sausage and cream cheese.
Headline Links: Low-carb vs. low-fat
According to a study published in scientific journal Hypertension and reported in Science Daily, low-fat diets are better than low-carb diets when it comes to cardiovascular health. In addition to higher fat, protein and cholesterol, low-carb diets were also found to have less folic acid, a nutrient that is thought to be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Source: Science Daily
The study on low-carb diets and cardiovascular health was originally published in the February edition of the scientific journal Hypertension. The abstract is available free on the journal’s Web site, but payment is required to view the entire article.
Source: Hypertension
Background: Low-carb and type 2 diabetes
A low-carb, vegetable-based diet may help to prevent type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, as reported in by NIH. The findings were surprising as most doctors recommend low-fat diets, not low-carb diets, to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Source: NIH
Opinion: 'A Groundless Beef with the Atkins Diet'
“I know it seems crazy that sausage and cream cheese could be good for you. In the long run, I'm certain they can't be. But the beauty of science is its disrespect for certainties. You play the game and see who wins. In the short run, so far, Atkins wins,” writes William Saletan in a 2007 Slate piece about the difficulty of keeping up with fad diets.
Source: Slate
Related Links: Dr. Atkins’ death, high-carbs and esophageal cancer, and heart disease in Britain
Dr. Atkins’ controversial death
When Dr. Robert Atkins, creator of the Atkins diet, died in 2003, his wife lashed out against media reports that stated he was obese and had a history of heart disease when he died. Although Dr. Atkins’ actual cause of death was head trauma after he slipped on an icy street, various news outlets reported that he had also suffered a heart attack, congenital heart failure and hypertension before his death, USA Today reports.
Source: USA Today
High-carbohydrate intake linked to esophageal cancer
Another report released in February linked rising rates of carbohydrate intake and obesity to the number of esophageal cancer cases in the United States. Researchers noted that cases of esophageal cancer increased from 300,000 in 1973 to 2.1 million in 2001, which closely mirrors increases in carbohydrate intake and obesity over the same time.
Source: Health Central
Obesity and heart disease in England
Coronary heart disease is England’s number-one killer as well, reports The Daily Telegraph. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in England will soon launch a campaign geared to educating the public about saturated fat levels in everyday foods. For instance, that one cheese sandwich contains more than half the recommended daily amount of saturated fat.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Reference: Heart disease and healthy diets
Heart disease is responsible for 29 percent of deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FindingDulcinea has a web guide on cardiovascular disease.
Source: findingDulcinea
The U.S. Department of Agriculture food pyramid provides information on how to maintain a healthy varied diet.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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