Keto And Heart Problems: Who's At Risk?

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a popular weight-loss diet that involves consuming low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. The keto diet restricts consumption of carbohydrates that are the body's primary source of energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to start breaking down fat for energy instead. This breakdown of fat in the liver produces ketones, which in manageable levels can help suppress appetite and may improve brain function.

However, a recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session suggests that a keto-like diet may be associated with higher levels of bad cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes. The study found that regular consumption of a self-reported diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat was associated with increased levels of LDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart disease.

While the keto diet can have a number of potential heart health benefits, there is often an initial drop in good cholesterol, or HDL, which is often dependent on the level of fat consumption. Any diet that results in weight loss can help lower blood pressure, and in total, ketogenic diets appear to be safe and can potentially help manage the risk factors that drive heart health.

However, the keto diet can have side effects, especially initially. Some people will feel very sluggish for the first week or so, often referred to as the keto flu. This can manifest as poor energy and mental function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, digestive discomfort and occasionally, decreased exercise performance.

If you are planning to drastically change your diet, be sure to consult your physician first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or nutritional concerns.

The keto diet may be linked to higher levels of bad cholesterol

The ketogenic or "keto" diet is a popular weight-loss diet that involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. However, recent research suggests that a "keto-like" diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and twice the risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. It restricts consumption of carbohydrates that are the body's primary source of energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to start breaking down fat for energy instead. This breakdown of fat in the liver produces ketones, chemicals that the body uses as energy in the absence of carbohydrates.

Proponents of the keto diet generally suggest limiting carbohydrates to 10% of total daily calories, protein to 20-30% and obtaining 60-80% of daily calories from fat.

The keto diet has been linked to higher levels of "bad" cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol. This is a known risk factor for heart disease. The keto diet has also been associated with a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events. In addition, the keto diet can have a number of side effects, especially initially. Some people may experience the "keto flu", which can manifest as poor energy and mental function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, digestive discomfort and occasionally, decreased exercise performance.

There is also a risk of nutritional deficiencies on the keto diet, especially for people who cannot supplement their intake of vegetables, grains and fruit. People with liver conditions may not metabolise excess fat well, and those with kidney insufficiency should not be on a high-protein diet.

The keto diet can have a number of potential heart health benefits. There is often an initial drop in LDL cholesterol, and the "good" cholesterol, or HDL, will often increase somewhat depending on the level of fat consumption. Any diet that results in weight loss can help lower blood pressure. In total, ketogenic diets appear to be safe and can potentially help manage the risk factors that drive heart health.

The keto diet may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease

The ketogenic or "keto" diet is a popular weight-loss diet that involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. However, a recent study suggests that a "keto-like" diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.

The keto diet

The keto diet restricts consumption of carbohydrates that are the body's primary source of energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to start breaking down fat for energy instead. This breakdown of fat in the liver produces ketones, chemicals that the body uses as energy in the absence of carbohydrates. Proponents of the keto diet generally suggest limiting carbohydrates to 10% of total daily calories, protein to 20-30% and obtaining 60-80% of daily calories from fat.

The keto diet and heart disease

A recent study found that a keto-like diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and twice the risk of cardiovascular events. The study defined a keto-like diet as consisting of no more than 25% of total daily calories from carbohydrates and more than 45% of total daily calories from fat. The study found that, compared with participants on a standard diet, those on a keto-like diet had significantly higher levels of both "bad" cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB), the protein component that sits on LDL and other atherogenic lipoprotein particles. After an average of 11.8 years of follow-up, people on a keto-like diet had more than two-times higher risk of having several major cardiovascular events. In all, 9.8% of participants on a keto-like diet experienced a new cardiac event, compared with 4.3% of those on a standard diet, a doubling of risk for those on a keto-like diet.

The keto diet and diabetes

The keto diet can help lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. This can help decrease medication requirements for people with Type 2 diabetes, as well as help prevent the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes in concert with weight loss. In a study of people with type 2 diabetes, keto diets caused a drop in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a marker that reflects your average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months. In addition, over 90% of the individuals in the low-carb group managed to reduce or eliminate their need for diabetes medications.

The keto diet and weight loss

Any diet that results in weight loss can help lower blood pressure. In total, ketogenic diets appear to be safe and can potentially help manage the risk factors that drive heart health.

The keto diet may be linked to a higher risk of cardiac events

The ketogenic or "keto" diet is a popular weight-loss diet that involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. However, a recent study suggests that a "keto-like" diet may be associated with a higher risk of heart disease and cardiac events.

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. It restricts consumption of carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to start breaking down fat for energy instead. This breakdown of fat in the liver produces ketones, chemicals that the body uses as energy in the absence of carbohydrates.

The keto diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and twice the risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes. The study also found that those with the highest levels of LDL cholesterol were at the highest risk for a cardiovascular event.

The keto diet can also have side effects, especially initially. Some people may experience the "keto flu", which can manifest as poor energy and mental function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, digestive discomfort and occasionally, decreased exercise performance.

There is also a risk of nutritional deficiencies on the keto diet, especially for people who cannot supplement their intake of vegetables, grains and fruit. People with liver conditions may not metabolise excess fat well, and those with kidney insufficiency should not be on a high-protein diet.

Who should not try the keto diet?

People with liver conditions or kidney insufficiency should not try the keto diet. It is also important to consult a health care provider before starting the keto diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or nutritional concerns.

The keto diet may be linked to a higher risk of blocked arteries

The ketogenic or "keto" diet is a popular weight-loss diet that involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. However, a recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session suggests that a "keto-like" diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. It restricts consumption of carbohydrates that are the body's primary source of energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to start breaking down fat for energy instead. The breakdown of fat in the liver produces ketones, chemicals that the body uses as energy in the absence of carbohydrates.

The keto diet may be associated with higher levels of "bad" cholesterol and twice the risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.

The keto diet can have a number of potential heart health benefits. There is often an initial drop in "bad" cholesterol, and the "good" cholesterol will often increase somewhat depending on the level of fat consumption. Any diet that results in weight loss can help lower blood pressure. In total, ketogenic diets appear to be safe and can potentially help manage the risk factors that drive heart health.

The keto diet may be linked to a higher risk of strokes

The ketogenic diet is a popular eating plan that involves eating very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats. While it is known to be effective for weight loss, it has also been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session in 2023 suggested that a "keto-like" diet may be associated with higher blood levels of "bad" cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain, blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks, and strokes. The study found that, compared to those on a standard diet, those on a keto-like diet had significantly higher levels of both LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, a protein on the surface of cholesterol that may be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL alone. After an average of 11.8 years of follow-up, individuals on a keto-like diet had more than double the risk of having several major cardiovascular events.

The mechanisms underlying the link between the keto diet and increased risk of heart problems are not yet fully understood. However, some studies suggest that the diet's high fat content may lead to elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, a known risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, the keto diet's restriction of carbohydrates may also play a role, as carbohydrates are the body's first "go-to" source of fuel for energy. By depriving the body of carbohydrates, it is forced to break down fat for energy instead, which can lead to increased cholesterol levels.

While the keto diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with it. If you are considering following a keto-like diet, it is recommended to do so under the supervision of a physician who can monitor your cholesterol levels and help manage your risk of heart disease.

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