Does Keto eating affect your cholesterol?
How does keto or low-carb eating affect your cholesterol? Sometimes a rise in LDL cholesterol occurs, especially during weight loss, but this is only temporary.
Many people who are overweight worry about their cholesterol levels. It is said that with weight loss, cholesterol levels do not go up. But recent research reveals that with weight loss, the HDL cholesterol level rises and this is good for one’s heart health.
Some experts believe that this happens because weight loss brings about a decrease in the body’s total cholesterol pool. When you lose weight, your body’s total cholesterol pool decreases which means there is less LDL and VLDL to be excreted through the bile. In addition, as your body’s metabolism improves as a result of weight loss, there is less production of LDL from the liver and it may be that HDL can then “compensate by picking up some of that slack.”
Ketogenic diets have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, but the long-term effects are not well documented.
This section discusses the relationship between a keto diet and cholesterol in terms of weight loss, the mechanism by which ketones affect cholesterol levels, and how this correlates with a person’s risk for metabolic syndrome.
But first, let’s take a look at what is cholesterol?
If you are new to the topic of cholesterol, this is a good place to start.
Cholesterol is a type of lipid found in the blood of all animals. Cholesterol is the main type of fat in your blood. It is necessary for certain bodily functions, but too much can be dangerous for one’s health. It is naturally synthesized in the body.
Cholesterol can be obtained from food sources. Foods that are high in cholesterol include egg yolks, beef liver, shrimp with the shell on it and lobster.
If too much cholesterol is found in the blood, it becomes a type of health condition called hypercholesterolemia. The high levels of cholesterol can lead to a heart attack. They can also lead to a stroke or other cardiovascular diseases.
This is why it is often viewed in a negative light. However, cholesterol is also vital for the body.
It can be found in cell membranes, bile, and blood. Cholesterol will carry fats through the bloodstream to the liver so it can be broken down for energy or used elsewhere in the body.
It provides structure to cells and plays essential roles in most aspects of health. It is also an important precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D.
What can affect your blood cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol levels are affected by a number of factors. These factors include your genes, your diet, the type of medications you take and even the type of bacteria in your gut!
Being aware of what affects your cholesterol levels is an important step in preventing these life-threatening conditions.
A good rule of thumb is: Above all else dietary intake is what affects the cholesterol levels. The more cholesterol you eat, the more cholesterol will be in your blood.
Your body needs some cholesterol to survive, but too much can cause problems. The body needs cholesterol to maintain its health.
Different types of cholesterol – The good and the bad cholesterol
There are two cholesterol types. The first is known as the “good” cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the other is known as the “bad” cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
HDL is the “good” kind of cholesterol as it can help protect against heart disease, stroke and other serious health conditions. HDLs are usually associated with lower risk of heart disease because they remove excess LDL cholesterol from plaque buildup in blood vessels.
LDL is the “bad” kind of cholesterol because it can lead to these same serious health conditions and risks. High levels of LDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease.
LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells throughout your body. HDL carries it back to your liver instead.
How does a Keto diet impact cholesterol levels?
The keto diet has been known for its weight loss benefits, but it is not always clear how much weight loss is enough to have a significant impact on cholesterol levels.
A recent study examined the effects of a ketogenic diet on cholesterol in overweight and obese adults. The results showed that a well-designed ketogenic diet may improve blood lipid levels in the majority of people with metabolic syndrome. The study was randomized, controlled and involved a significant number of participants.
A ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carb and moderate protein diet. Its main goal is to put the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. It can lead to weight loss and higher cholesterol levels, but it will increase cholesterol levels for those who are healthy as well as those who have disorders such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
In other studies it has also shown to lower cholesterol levels. So the science is not set.
A good rule of thumb, with any diet, is to check in with your doctor and measure the impact it has on your body specifically.
Lowering cholesterol levels, if they are at high and unhealthy levels, is more likely to occur with a keto diet when you complement the diet with cardiovascular exercises weekly. Otherwise, you might initially see an increase in your cholesterol levels.