It has been the craze over the last few years. Individuals giving up carbs and upping their protein intake.
Researchers in the United States have now found these type of diets to clog arteries and increase heart attacks. The diets do cause people to slim, but could possibly kill you in the process. Is it worth risk?
Researchers at Beth Israel Institute began testing the effects of low carb diets on the cardiovascular system. The scientists fed mice three different diets: a standard mouse diet, a western diet that is high in fat and finally a low-carb, high protein version, the National Academy of Sciences reported.
While the low carb diet did not effect cholesterol levels and the mice did lose weight, there was a significance increase in atherosclerosis or the build up of fatty plaque deposits in the arteries.
In fact, the low-carb mice developed 15 percent more build up than those on standard mice food and six percent more then those on the typical western diet.
What does this tell me? As someone who has done a ton of diets, it just confirms something I learned long ago. Not that I practice it all the time, but I have the head knowledge.
Diets that make you give up something tend to not work or help at all. Balanced eating, portion control and exercise is the answer. Changing your life and eating habits are more beneficial then cutting something completely out of your diet.
The team ultimately concluded that most likely low-carb diets are affecting the way bone marrow cells clean the arteries. As someone whose mom died of a heart attack, I am rethinking the diets I consider. Low-carb is definitely out after this study.
However, diets such as weight watchers, fat-cutting, etc. are more realistic and offer better health benefits. In the meantime, where did I put that bread. I have some making up to do!
tweet this!
