Low-Carb, High-Fat Diets Pose No Higher Risk for Vascular Health in Short Term

Vascular researchers at Johns Hopkins University have completed a study that compared the weight loss effects of low-carbohydrate, high fat diets compared to low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets. According to their findings, the vascular health of dieters following a low-carbohydrate, high fat diet will not be adversely affected by the higher fat content of these diets.

The study was presented on June 3, 2011 at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Denver.

The study included 46 men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who weighed an average of 218 pounds. All were participating in the same six month weight loss program that incorporated diet modification, moderate aerobic exercise and weight lifting.

Half of the participants were assigned to consume a low-carbohydrate, high fat diet. The other half were assigned to consume a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet.

The low-carbohydrate, high-fat group saw a loss of 10 pounds in 45 days and showed no changes in vascular health.

On the other hand, the low-fat, high-carbohydrate group took 70 days to drop 10 pounds. They also showed no changes in vascular health.

These findings are important for dieters who worry that the high fat content of popular diets such as Atkins and the South Beach Diet will negatively affect their vascular functioning. The researchers were quick to point out, however, that these findings were over a three month period.
There is no research at this point examining the long term effects of the two types of diets.

Ultimately, according to the researchers, the most important thing for vascular health is to maintain a healthy weight without excess body fat. This can best be achieved by eating a balanced diet and performing daily moderate exercise.