Why eating less fat might raise your blood fat
Induction of hypertriglyceridemia by a low-fat diet.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Fasting triglycerides increased by 41% while fasting cholesterol remained unchanged.
Public health advice has long equated 'low-fat' with 'heart-healthy,' but this shows a key heart risk marker (triglycerides) can rise even when cholesterol doesn’t.
Practical Takeaways
If you're on a low-fat, high-carb diet and have high triglycerides, consider adjusting your carb intake and adding healthy fats.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Fasting triglycerides increased by 41% while fasting cholesterol remained unchanged.
Public health advice has long equated 'low-fat' with 'heart-healthy,' but this shows a key heart risk marker (triglycerides) can rise even when cholesterol doesn’t.
Practical Takeaways
If you're on a low-fat, high-carb diet and have high triglycerides, consider adjusting your carb intake and adding healthy fats.
Publication
Journal
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Year
1976
Authors
Henry N. Ginsberg, J. Olefsky, G. Kimmerling, P. Crapo, G. Reaven
Related Content
Claims (4)
When people eat less fat and more carbs, their blood fat levels (triglycerides) go up a lot—even if their cholesterol stays the same—and high blood fat is linked to heart disease.
Almost everyone who switched to a low-fat, high-carb diet saw their blood fat levels go up—only one person didn’t, which means this effect happens in nearly all people.
After eating, people on a low-fat, high-carb diet have higher levels of fat, sugar, and insulin in their blood for longer than when they eat a diet with more fat, which might stress the body over time.
Reduction in dietary carbohydrate intake improves postprandial glycemic control and reduces fasting and postprandial serum triglyceride concentrations in humans.