At Low Carb Age, we’re chronicling the end of the low fat / high carb age entered in the early 1970s when Congress (yes, Congress) decided that reducing saturated fat was the best way to improve American health. Yet another crack in the edifice comes from a new study by the University of Glasgow published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism:

Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, following the UK dietary guidelines resulted in changes in the lipid profile that were more likely to favour an increased risk of CHD [coronary heart disease], as TAG [triacylglycerol] concentrations were increased and HDL cholesterol concentrations were reduced. However, in addition, we found a significant reduction in BMI and a significant increase in the ‘antioxidant power’ of plasma, which should benefit health.

Studies don’t venture far from the primary aim of the study, as the scientists don’t like to inject opinions into the research. What the authors of the study didn’t say is the people following a low carb, adequate protein diet including plenty of “good fat” also enjoy a significant reduction in BMI (body mass index). And unlike the diet from the dietary guidelines since the 1970s, a low carb diet lowers triglycerides and raises the good cholesterol, HDL.

This study focused on post-menopausal women in Great Britain. Twelve women participated, and started by chronicling their food intake for a week and taking baseline blood tests. Based on their current diet, the authors recommended the women increase their carbohydrate intake to match the official government dietary guidelines. The women were in a “free living” condition, meaning that they were free to live their normal lives at home, at work, etc., and were not confined to a hospital during the study. Blood tests were taken after a week, and then after 4 weeks.

The dietary guidelines in Great Britain are basically the same as in the US. The guidelines specify that a reduction in dietary fat is important, and half the daily “energy intake” is to be from carbohydrates. (In Europe, “calories” are referred to as “energy”, so this equates to the American guideline to obtain about half your caloric intake with carbs).

After a week on the diet with increased carbs, the women were directed to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. For the final three weeks of the study, they were eating the “balanced diet” so familiar to anyone who has seen the “food pyramid” chart.

The good news was that the women lost weight, a result usually seen in the adoption of a low carb diet as well. They also had an increased level of antioxidants in the blood (although not stated, this was probably from the fruit and vegetables they were now eating). But the bad news?

The bad news was that the women experienced a significant rise in triglyceride levels, and a lowering of the protective, good cholesterol HDL. In other words, in 4 short weeks they became like everyone else who tries to follow the official dietary guidelines: candidates for cardiovascular heart disease (CHD). And post-menopausal women are more likely to develop CHD with elevated triglyceride levels.

They were probably healthier before the study started. Even with a BMI much higher; mortality studies show that it is better to have an “overweight” than “healthy” BMI. Even an “obese” BMI puts you at parity with the so-called “healthy” BMI.

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