This study investigated the effects of a 6 month energy-reduced, very-low-carbohydrate, high-fat (VLCHF) diet compared with an isocaloric high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) diet on weight loss and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers in 88 abdominally obese subjects. Both diets had similar effects on weight loss and improvements in blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein levels. Triglycerides decreased and HDL cholesterol increased to a greater extent in the VLCHF diet, whereas LDL cholesterol decreased in the HCLF diet but remained unchanged in VLCHF diet, although a high degree of individual variability for LDL response in the VLCHF diet was observed. These results suggest that the long-term potential effects of the VLCHF diet on CVD risk remain a concern and that blood lipid levels should be monitored. The authors also concluded that additional research is needed to determine the impact of both dietary patterns on longer term cardiovascular and other health outcomes as well as on individuals with advanced metabolic disease, such as type 2 diabetes.
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