Can Weight Loss and Keto Cause Your Cholesterol Levels RISE? Share to save for later! A low-carb ketogenic diet is known to improve your cholesterol levels and can be an incredibly healthy choice. However, there is apparently a very small number of people who experience increased cholesterol levels on the ketogenic diet during the first couple of months despite the weight reduction.
This could be simply a temporary side effect. We will clarify more and show you some studies we have found below. The difference between “good” HDL-cholesterol and “bad” LDL-cholesterol? Lipids are types of fat and the two most known types are triglycerides and cholesterol. Lipoproteins will be the proteins that transfer the lipids in the bloodstream and handle their chemical reactions.
High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) is often called the “good” cholesterol that takes the extreme cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver for removal. Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) is often called the “bad” cholesterol, which transfers the cholesterol to the blood stream to repair cells and deposits cholesterol within artery walls. It is not uncommon for the cholesterol levels to increase briefly in the first few months of the ketogenic diet.
The reason is that weight loss itself can result in a temporary increase in cholesterol levels. When you lose fat weight, your system can burn its stored excess fat and releases essential fatty acids into your bloodstream. This can cause an increase in your LDL cholesterol levels. This is usually only temporary. Cholesterol levels return to normal or even improve after the weight-loss has been stabilized. Another study examining the effects of a ketogenic diet (30% protein, 8% carbohydrate, and 61% fat) among 12 healthy, non-obese men proved similar results also.
- Carry Healthy Food with You
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling)
- Shoulders, Calves
A medical trial among epileptic children also demonstrated that a regime of the ketogenic diet for six months resulted in increased mean LDL cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels, and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels. Rapid weight loss, particularly if it derives from fasting may cause a rise in apolipoprotein LDL-cholesterol and B levels.
As it could be observed in the image below, people following the low-carbohydrate diet experience a small upsurge in their LDL cholesterol levels, which however only last 6 months. Changes in Cholesterol and Triglyceride Biomarkers According to Diet Group through the Maximum Weight-Loss Phase (1 to six months) and the Weight-Loss Maintenance Phase (7 to 24 Months) of the 2-Year Intervention. Bottom line: As you can see from the graph above, you may experience hook increase in cholesterol during the first six months on a minimal carb diet. Your LDL cholesterol levels will lower from then on, predicated on the scholarly study above.
Why Does Cholesterol Increase? Although the exact mechanism is not yet determined, a short-term increase of cholesterol is associated with the accumulation of fat in the body. Carrying out a ketogenic diet, an eating plan low in carbohydrates and high in fat results in higher fatty acids intake. Normally, essential fatty acids are oxidized to become energy by making use of some hormones, but insulin prevents lipolysis and hampers the break down of adipose tissues. This results in free fatty acids being released into the bloodstream that leads to a build up of triglycerides.
In other words, to diet is abundant with fat which in the beginning is not oxidized but stream free in the blood stream. Blood tests interpret these elevations as increased cholesterol levels, which however is not necessarily right. Nonetheless, this initial upsurge in LDL cholesterol is caused by the sudden weight loss and the shortcoming of the human body to adapt quickly to lipolysis. When the body adapts to the new routine, meaning using body fat as energy gasoline compared to carbohydrates, the cholesterol not only will return to normal levels but will also improve.