Diet: High-protein diet is linked to heart risks
A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a large study in Swedish women.
The study, published in the journal BMJ, was based on a random sample of 43,396 women ages 30 to 49, each of whom completed a dietary questionnaire. The researchers used the data to create a 20-point scale, with higher scores indicating a lower ratio of carbohydrates to protein.
During an average of 15 years of follow-up, there were 1,270 cardiac events, mostly ischemic heart disease and strokes. After controlling for numerous risk factors, the researchers found that women had a five per cent increase in cardiovascular events for each increase of two points on the scale. (That translates to a daily 20-gram decrease in carbohydrates and a five-gram increase in protein.)
Previous studies have had mixed results. The 2006 Nurses' Health Study showed an increase in cardiovascular mortality for the low-carbohydrate diet, but it was not statistically significant. Several European studies, though, have found statistically significant increases.
The study's lead author, Dr Pagona Lagiou, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Athens, said, "To those who want to control body weight, I would suggest that they try to increase their physical activity and reduce their portion sizes."
NYT
A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a large study in Swedish women.
The study, published in the journal BMJ, was based on a random sample of 43,396 women ages 30 to 49, each of whom completed a dietary questionnaire. The researchers used the data to create a 20-point scale, with higher scores indicating a lower ratio of carbohydrates to protein.
During an average of 15 years of follow-up, there were 1,270 cardiac events, mostly ischemic heart disease and strokes. After controlling for numerous risk factors, the researchers found that women had a five per cent increase in cardiovascular events for each increase of two points on the scale. (That translates to a daily 20-gram decrease in carbohydrates and a five-gram increase in protein.)
Previous studies have had mixed results. The 2006 Nurses' Health Study showed an increase in cardiovascular mortality for the low-carbohydrate diet, but it was not statistically significant. Several European studies, though, have found statistically significant increases.
The study's lead author, Dr Pagona Lagiou, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Athens, said, "To those who want to control body weight, I would suggest that they try to increase their physical activity and reduce their portion sizes."
NYT