Keto diet increases cholesterol and decreases beneficial gut bacteria
Ketogenic low-carb diets may increase cholesterol and decrease beneficial gut bacteria.
A study from the University of Bath shows that a ketogenic low-carb diet may increase cholesterol levels and decrease beneficial gut bacteria, especially bifidobacteria.
The Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, involved 53 healthy adults for up to 12 weeks. Participants followed either a low-sugar diet (control), a low-sugar diet (less than 5% of calories from sugar), or a low-carb ketogenic (keto) diet (less than 8% of calories from carbohydrates).
Want more breaking news? Subscribe to Technology Networks' daily newsletter to get the latest science news delivered straight to your inbox every day.
Key findings include:
Increased cholesterol: The keto diet increased cholesterol levels, especially small and medium-sized LDL particles. The diet increased apolipoprotein B (apoB), which causes plaque buildup in the arteries. In contrast, a low-carb diet significantly reduced cholesterol levels in LDL particles. Reduction in beneficial gut bacteria: The keto diet changed the composition of the gut microbiome, specifically reducing bifidobacteria.
beneficial bacteria commonly found in probiotics. These bacteria have a wide range of benefits, including producing B vitamins, inhibiting pathogens and harmful bacteria, and lowering cholesterol levels. Carbohydrate restriction did not significantly affect the composition of the gut microbiome. Glucose tolerance: The keto diet reduced glucose tolerance, which means that an adult's body doesn't process carbohydrates as efficiently. . Both diets reduced fat. The keto diet reduced fat by an average of 2.9 kg per person after 12 weeks, while the low-carb diet reduced fat by an average of 2.1 kg per person.
Metabolism: The researchers also found that the keto diet caused significant changes in fat metabolism and muscle energy expenditure, shifting the body's energy preference from glucose to fat.
Physical activity levels: Both the low-carb and keto diets reduced fat without changing physical activity levels. Previous studies from the Center for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism have shown that skipping breakfast and intermittent fasting lead to reduced physical activity.
Principal investigator Dr. Aaron Hengist highlighted the worrying cholesterol findings.
"Despite reducing fat mass, the ketogenic diet increased levels of undesirable fats in participants' blood. If this continues for years, it could have long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke."
Dr. Russell Davis, who led the microbiome research, explained the impact on gut health:
The ketogenic diet reduced fiber intake to about 15 grams per day, half the amount recommended by the NHS. This reduction in bifidobacteria could lead to significant long-term health consequences, including increased risk of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, In the long term, this puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
Professor Javier Gonzalez, who oversaw the study, commented on the glucose results: "The ketogenic diet reduced fasting blood glucose levels, but also reduced the body's ability to process carbohydrates from the diet. By measuring protein in muscle samples from the participants' legs, we found that this is probably an adaptive response to the reduced daily carbohydrate intake and reflects insulin resistance to carbohydrate stores in the muscle. This insulin resistance is not necessarily a bad thing during a ketogenic diet, but if such changes continue when you return to a high-carbohydrate diet, it may increase your In the long term, this puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
In light of this new research, the scientists conclude that a low-carb diet is better for most people when considering dieting. More research is needed to understand how individuals may benefit from each type of diet. The government recommends limiting free sugars (those added to food and drink, or found naturally in honey, syrups, fruit juice and smoothies) to less than 5% of total energy intake. Professor Dylan Thompson, who also oversaw the study, said:
"Ketogenic diets are effective for fat loss, but have different effects on the metabolism and microbiome and are not suitable for everyone. In contrast, carbohydrate restriction supports the government guidelines to reduce free sugar intake and promote fat loss without any obvious negative health effects."
Principal investigator Dr. Aaron Hengist highlighted the worrying cholesterol findings.
"Despite reducing fat mass, the ketogenic diet increased levels of undesirable fats in participants' blood. If this continues for years, it could have long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke."
Dr. Russell Davis, who led the microbiome research, explained the impact on gut health:
The ketogenic diet reduced fiber intake to about 15 grams per day, half the amount recommended by the NHS. This reduction in bifidobacteria could lead to significant long-term health consequences, including increased risk of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, In the long term, this puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
Professor Javier Gonzalez, who oversaw the study, commented on the glucose results: "The ketogenic diet reduced fasting blood glucose levels, but also reduced the body's ability to process carbohydrates from the diet. By measuring protein in muscle samples from the participants' legs, we found that this is probably an adaptive response to the reduced daily carbohydrate intake and reflects insulin resistance to carbohydrate stores in the muscle. This insulin resistance is not necessarily a bad thing during a ketogenic diet, but if such changes continue when you return to a high-carbohydrate diet, it may increase your In the long term, this puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
In light of this new research, the scientists conclude that a low-carb diet is better for most people when considering dieting. More research is needed to understand how individuals may benefit from each type of diet. The government recommends limiting free sugars (those added to food and drink, or found naturally in honey, syrups, fruit juice and smoothies) to less than 5% of total energy intake. Professor Dylan Thompson, who also oversaw the study, said:
"Ketogenic diets are effective for fat loss, but have different effects on the metabolism and microbiome and are not suitable for everyone. In contrast, carbohydrate restriction supports the government guidelines to reduce free sugar intake and promote fat loss without any obvious negative health effects."
No comments:
Post a Comment