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What You Need To Know About Low-Carb Diets and Cholesterol | Dr. Robert Lustig
Levels Advisor Robert Lustig, MD, explains how low-carb diets may affect cholesterol.
Low-carb diets, including the ketogenic diet, reduce carbohydrate intake while increasing fat intake. These diets may elevate your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), so-called “bad” cholesterol, on your metabolic panel.
However, dietary fat only raises large buoyant LDL (lbLDL), which doesn’t have an effect on your cardiovascular health. “On the lab slip,” Lustig says, “it looks like the bad guy because of these reference ranges that make no sense.”
What is the bad guy? Small dense LDL (sdLDL) particles can lead to atherosclerosis.
Lustig’s point is that it’s not the total LDL that’s concerning, it’s high sdLDL. However, doctors typically test for total LDL.
If you have a high LDL level, you might be prescribed a statin. “But ultimately, the goal is to get the small dense LDL down, and statins don’t touch those,” Lustig explains.
About 20% of people who take statins end up with rhabdomyolysis (muscle inflammation), or they develop hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), or even diabetes.
✅ What you can do: One test that can give you a better indication of your sdLDL level is apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
#metabolichealth #cholesterol #lowcarb #keto
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Medical Disclaimer:
This video is shared for educational and nutritional awareness only.
It does not replace professional medical or dietetic consultation.
