Low-carbohydrate diets may appear effective when it comes to
weight loss, but they could be linked to higher levels of LDL or
'bad' cholesterol levels, say scientists. The findings,
published in the February 13 issue of JAMA Archives of Internal
Medicine, have been drawn from an analysis of five previous
clinical studies that compared low-fat to low-carb diets. Out of
around 450 people who took part in the studies, those on low-
carb diets lost weight faster than those on low-fat diets, but
had increased total cholesterol levels and LDL levels. However,
they also had lower triglyceride levels and higher HDL or 'good'
cholesterol levels. And although weight fell off faster from
those consumers avoiding carbohydrates, after a period of 12
months both groups had the same blood pressure, completion rates
and weight loss levels, said scientists at the University
Hospital Basel in Switzerland "We believe there is still
insufficient evidence to make recommendations for or against the
use of low-carbohydrate diets to