Most research suggests that ketogenic diets may help lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. In some cases, the ketogenic diet can increase total cholesterol and LDL levels in the short term. Based on these studies, it could be assumed that a ketogenic diet can improve total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. However, this diet may not have a significant effect or may even increase LDL cholesterol levels.
In general, more extensive, long-term studies are needed to reach an accurate conclusion about the effects of a ketogenic diet on cholesterol and, in turn, on heart health. Depending on the person, a low-carb ketogenic diet can improve or worsen cholesterol levels. Research has shown that the ketogenic diet can help increase levels of HDL cholesterol, which is considered good cholesterol. While following the ketogenic diet, the body produces lower amounts of insulin and blood sugar.
These factors improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. For most people, there will be no adverse effects on blood lipid levels when consuming a ketogenic diet. Typical findings are stable levels of LDL cholesterol, decreased triglycerides (good), and increased HDL cholesterol (also good). Some people will even see a decrease in their LDL, 5.This is why, for most people, ketogenic foods that are high in cholesterol don't negatively affect blood cholesterol levels.
Low-carb and high-fat diets, such as the ketogenic diet, increase heart-healthy HDL cholesterol levels compared to standard high-carb diets. This is what worries me, since I have quite high cholesterol, but when I go on a ketogenic diet I always feel good and more energetic. With the best macro tracking app for the ketogenic diet, never be left wondering if you're “doing Keto right.” In contrast, LDL cholesterol increased by nearly 35% in those who followed the ketogenic diet along with CrossFit. After a year, participants on the ketogenic diet saw their total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL decrease, while HDL increased.
Because the ketogenic diet is very high in fat, the question arises as to whether it can affect your cholesterol levels for better or worse. In addition, the very low-carb ketogenic diet significantly lowered triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, with a notable increase in HDL cholesterol levels in the individuals studied. We don't yet know what the best diet for high cholesterol is, but the data suggests that the ketogenic diet may improve cholesterol profiles in people who are obese and have diabetes. The results of the previous study had suggested that the ketogenic diet leads to greater weight loss and healthier cholesterol levels in people with obesity after 6 months.
If a person with fat-induced lipemia follows the ketogenic diet, their triglyceride levels may continue to rise, which can lead to pancreatitis. For every person talking about the ketogenic diet, there is another warning about the harmful effects on the heart. If you're like most people, a ketogenic diet goes against everything you've been told about what you should and shouldn't eat.
