Contrary to popular opinion, eating a low-carb diet is not unhealthy. In fact, a reduced carbohydrate diet can be an important part of the cholesterol-lowering equation for people who want to know how to lower cholesterol naturally. In the study Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in July of 2008, the effectiveness of a variety of diets, including low-fat and low-carb, are compared. During the study, which ranged over the course of 2 years, the effect of each type of diet on LDL cholesterol levels and ratios was studied along with the potential weight loss offered by each type of diet.
Cholesterol Lowering Diets
Typically, cholesterol lowering diets reduce the consumption of fat, and severely limit any foods that contain cholesterol, including eggs. According to the study cited above, however, eating a low-carb diet that does not restrict fat, calories, or dietary cholesterol, actually improves cholesterol ratios nearly twice as well as the improvement shown by low-fat dieters. The benefit of this diet does not come from the increased amount of fat or cholesterol, it is the result of restricting sugar, flour, and other refined carbohydrates.
The conclusion reached by this study affirmed the fact that eating a low-carb diet offers a greater degree of weight loss than a low-fat diet, and has the ability to improve health in other ways, including a reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol to LDL cholesterol levels. The low-fat dieters in this study experienced an average reduction of 12% in the ratio of total to LDL cholesterol, while low-carb dieters experienced an average of a 20% reduction - nearly twice the amount of improvement.
Lowering LDL Cholesterol Ratios
It is not only simple for diabetics to lower their blood glucose levels and lose weight on low-carb plans, reducing refined carbs is also healthy in other ways. Lowering LDL cholesterol ratios can be very difficult, and often requires prescription cholesterol medicines. Eating a low-carb diet allows people to lower cholesterol naturally, as an alternative to a regimen of cholesterol drugs and bland fat-free food. As with any other treatment, of course, it is important to consult a physician prior to self-treatment.
Naturally Reduce Cholesterol Counts
Eliminating sugar, refined flour, and other non-nutritive starchy foods can improve health in various ways. Fast weight loss and improved blood glucose values make a low-carb diet helpful to many diabetics. In addition, the study referenced above provides proof that a low-carb diet also improves total cholesterol to LDL cholesterol ratios, which helps patients who want to lower cholesterol naturally. While it may seem difficult to make such a major dietary change, there are Easy Low-Carb Meal Plans to help. Looking for more information? Read:
Achieve Weight Loss Success by Preparing in Advance
When following a low-carb diet program, grocery shopping is a must, due to the fact that convenience foods are less healthy, and less conducive to weight loss success.
High-protein Low-carb Diet Foods - Vegetables
Calculating the Net Carb by Subtracting Fiber
The amount of fiber in the total carbohydrate count of high-fiber foods, such as low-carb vegetables, is used to calculate the amount of net carb present.
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Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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