Experts warn of significant cardiovascular risk with Atkins-style diets

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/bmj-ewo062512.php

Public release date: 26-Jun-2012
Contact: Emma Dickinson
BMJ-British Medical Journal
Experts warn of significant cardiovascular risk with Atkins-style diets
Research: Low carbohydrate-high protein diet and incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Swedish women: Prospective cohort study; Editorial: Low carbohydrate-high protein diets

Women who regularly eat a low carbohydrate, high protein diet are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke) than those who do not, a study published on bmj.com today suggests.

Although the actual numbers are small (an extra 4-5 cases of cardiovascular disease per 10,000 women per year) the authors say that this is a 28% increase in the number of cases and that these results are worrying in a population of young women who may be exposed to these dietary patterns and face the excess risk for many years.

Low carbohydrate-high protein diets are frequently used for body weight control. Although they may be nutritionally acceptable if the protein is mainly of plant origin (e.g. nuts) and the reduction of carbohydrates applies mainly to simple and refined ones (i.e. unhealthy sweeteners, drinks and snacks), the general public do not always recognise and act on this guidance.

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