Is a low carbohydrate, high protein diet increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease?

A low carbohydrate, high protein diet has been promoted by many as a healthy way to eat and also a way to lose weight. Since this is a low glycemic index diet you can certainly lose weight eating that way, but is it healthy long term? This is exactly what the reviewed study investigated (Lagiou P, et al.2012). The participants were 43,396 Swedish women aged 30-49 years at the start of the research. The participants were followed up for an average of 15.7 years. The results were very interesting and showed that low carbohydrate, high-protein diets, used on a regular basis and without consideration of the nature of carbohydrates or the source of proteins are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Other studies have shown that an increased intake of meat as a protein source is associated with increased mortality. The source of carbohydrates are also very important since high glycemic index carbohydrates are associated with insulin resistance and increased inflammation which both are risk factors for chronic disease. In the book “The Food Connection”, you can read more about the benefits of a high carbohydrate low glycemic index diet.

Lagiou P, Sandin S, Lof M, Trichopoulos D, Adami HO, Weiderpass E. Low carbohydrate-high protein diet and incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Swedish women: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2012 Jun 26;344:e4026. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e4026.