HealthLink: Carbohydrate-versus protein-rich diets and cardiovascular risk
Weight management is often advocated for dyslipidemic individuals with or considered at risk of cardiovascular disease. Hypocaloric high protein diets and low energy high carbohydrate diets are both commonly used for short term weight loss. Emerging research suggests that carbohydrate-rich diets may exacerbate some cardiovascular risk factors in moderately dyslipidemic subjects. Results from a randomized clinical trial presented at the Nutrition Society of Australia’s Annual Scientific Conference held last month in conjunction with the International Congress on Clinical Nutrition add to the evidence on this issue.
The abstract published in the August 2004 issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on the effect of carbohydrate-enriched and protein-enriched diets on cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with moderately elevated triglyceride levels. Subjects were randomized to a six week weight maintenance diet equal in fat content, enriched in either carbohydrate (53% of total energy intake) or protein (24% of total energy intake). Protein enrichment was achieved by increasing the consumption lean beef and lamb.
Neither the protein- or carbohydrate-enriched diet resulted in significant changes in fasting blood lipid, glucose or insulin levels. Triglyceride and apolipoprotein B48 responses following the test meal were similar before and after the high protein intervention; however, those on the carbohydrate-enriched diet showed a doubling in the level of atherogenic chylomicron apolipoprotein B48. The authors concluded that the carbohydrate-enriched diets substantially increased exposure to atherogenic chylomicrons in moderately hyperlipidmic subjects.
Other studies show that low energy, high carbohydrate diets have a tendency to exaggerate blood triglyceride levels, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In addition, subjects with or considered at risk of cardiovascular disease frequently have exaggerated blood lipid responses and greater blood concentrations of atherogenic chylomicrons following the ingestion of fats.
Consumer Tips:
Protein-rich foods, such as lean red meat, poultry and fish can be a part of a balanced heart healthy eating plan to manage your weight.
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WANT TO LEARN MORE? Read the abstract from the article published in the August 2004 issue of the
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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