A recent study revealed that the most popular diet, the low-carb keto diet, can lead to a sharp rise in bad cholesterol, which can build up plaque in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
According to the results of the study – which were presented at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology, according to a report published on the website "Fox News" Regularly following a low-carb, high-fat diet is associated with increased levels of bad cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease.
The study’s lead author, Lulia Latan, says the current study is one of the first to examine the relationship between this type of dietary pattern and cardiovascular disease outcomes.
What is the keto diet? It is noteworthy that the keto diet generally includes a very low percentage of carbohydrates, usually less than 50 grams per day.
The target is usually around 75-80% healthy fats, 10-20% protein and 5-10% carbohydrates, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
By default, the body’s metabolic system will attempt to burn carbohydrates for energy.
But with keto, since the carb intake is so low, the body starts looking for fat to use for energy instead of carbs (or glucose).
The liver then breaks down the fat and creates an alternative fuel source called ketones, as the keto diet is named after.