New Study Demonstrates Low-Carb/High Protein Diets May Lead to Cardiovascular Disease

A new study published in the journal BMJ offers more support for the importance of including carbohydrates in the diet, as researchers found that diets low in carbohydrates and high in proteins may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Led by Pagona Lagiou of the University of Athens Medical School in Greece, researchers examined the diets of more than 43,000 Swedish women 30-49 years old for an average of nearly 16 years, and ultimately found that women following a low carbohydrate and high protein diet were at a 5 percent higher risk for heart disease.

According to study authors, the results also “draw attention to the potential for considerable adverse effects on cardiovascular health of these [low carbohydrate, high protein] diets when they are used on a regular basis, without consideration of the nature of carbohydrates (complex versus refined) or the source of proteins (plant versus animal).”

A global issue, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  This study provides further evidence that the key to looking fit on the outside and staying healthy on the inside is not restricting your food options, but rather enjoying everything mindfully and in moderation.