Low-carb, higher-fat diets might lower cardiovascular risks for overweight people

Overweight and obese people can lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing their fat intake and lowering the amount of refined carbohydrates in their diet. In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers followed 164 overweight and obese adults who cut their processed carbs, like bread, pastries and other sugary foods and instead ate fiber-rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. They also consumed higher levels of saturated fat. These diets were not as strict as the ketogenic diet, which restricts carbs to less than 10 percent of daily calories. After five months, people on this low-carb, higher fat diet did not experience any negative changes in their cholesterol levels. But they did have improvements in metabolic measures linked to the development of Type 2 diabetes, such as insulin resistance scores. They also had improvements in triglycerides, which is linked to heart attacks and strokes, and adiponectin that helps to lower inflammation.