The Search for the Perfect Diet Continues

A Swedish study suggests that the long-term cardiovascular consequences of a low-carb, high-protein diet are negative.

Short-term, rapid weight loss has made Atkins-type, low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets popular, but concerns about the long-term effects of these diets continue to mount. In a large, population-based sample of 43,396 Swedish women aged 30 to 49 who completed a dietary questionnaire, investigators assessed the impact of low carbohydrate intake, high protein intake, or both on cardiovascular outcomes during an average follow-up of 15.7 years.

Each 10% decrease in carbohydrate intake (20 g — a small roll — per day), each 10% increase in protein intake (5 g — one boiled egg — per day), or each 2-unit increase in low-carbohydrate/high-protein score (scale: 2–20, with 20 representing very low carbohydrate and very high protein intake) was associ…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

The Search for the Perfect Diet Continues

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Reviewing Author