QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Volek, J. S. Articles by Forsythe, C. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Volek, J. S. Articles by Forsythe, C. E.

---

Recent Advances in Nutritional Sciences

Modification of Lipoproteins by Very Low-Carbohydrate Diets¹

Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, U-1110, Storrs, CT 06269-1110

²To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jeff.volek{at}uconn.edu.

Very low-carbohydrate diets (VLCDs) are popular, but remain controversial. This review summarizes the latest studies that have examined the effects of VLCDs on lipoproteins and related risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Prospective studies indicate that VLCDs improve the lipoprotein profile independently of weight loss. Although not as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), VLCDs consistently improve postabsorptive and postprandial triacylglycerols (TAGs), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and the distribution of LDL-C subfractions to a greater extent than low-fat diets. VLCDs also improve proinflammatory markers when associated with weight loss. Studies usually report mean lipid responses, but individual data indicate a large degree of variability in the magnitude and in some cases the direction (e.g., LDL-C) of lipoprotein responses to both low-fat and VLCDs. Such variability makes it hard to defend a single diet recommendation, especially considering the potential for low-fat/high-carbohydrate diets to exacerbate TAG, HDL-C, and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. Considering the effectiveness of VLCDs in promoting fat loss and improving the metabolic syndrome, discounting or condemning their use is unjustified. We encourage a more unbiased, balanced appraisal of VLCDs.

KEY WORDS: • cholesterol • low-carbohydrate diet • ketogenic • triglycerides • lipoproteins

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Tay, G. D. Brinkworth, M. Noakes, J. Keogh, and P. M. Clifton Metabolic effects of weight loss on a very-low-carbohydrate diet compared with an isocaloric high-carbohydrate diet in abdominally obese subjects. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 1, 2008; 51(1): 59 - 67. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Torres-Gonzalez, S. Shrestha, M. Sharman, H. C. Freake, J. S. Volek, and M. L. Fernandez Carbohydrate Restriction Alters Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism in Guinea Pigs Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet J. Nutr., October 1, 2007; 137(10): 2219 - 2223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. C Westman, J. S Volek, and R. D Feinman Carbohydrate restriction is effective in improving atherogenic dyslipidemia even in the absence of weight loss Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2006; 84(6): 1549 - 1549. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. M Krauss, P. J Blanche, R. S Rawlings, H. S Fernstrom, and P. T Williams Reply to EC Westman et al Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2006; 84(6): 1550 - 1550. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Manninen and C. S. Johnston Metabolic Advantage of Low-carbohydrate Diets. J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2006; 25(5): 436 - 437. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Wood, J. S. Volek, Y. Liu, N. S. Shachter, J. H. Contois, and M. L. Fernandez Carbohydrate Restriction Alters Lipoprotein Metabolism by Modifying VLDL, LDL, and HDL Subfraction Distribution and Size in Overweight Men J. Nutr., February 1, 2006; 136(2): 384 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]