A low-carbohydrate diet in overweight patients undergoing stable statin therapy raises high-density lipoprotein and lowers triglycerides substantially.
BACKGROUND
A low-carbohydrate diet remains controversial, especially in patients with arteriosclerotic heart disease.


OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on the lipid levels in obese patients with known arteriosclerotic heart disease on chronic statin therapy.


METHODS
Thirty-eight overweight patients with angiographically documented arteriosclerotic heart disease were followed in a private cardiology practice setting. All patients were undergoing stable statin therapy. Patients received a 15-min consultation and a 4-page pamphlet explaining a low-carbohydrate diet; no other diet instruction was given. Patients were followed weekly for 2 weeks, then monthly for 3 months, then every third month. A fasting finger stick lipid panel (cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein [HDL/ LDL], triglycerides, and glucose) was obtained with each visit and patients were weighed in street clothes.


RESULTS
The 38 patients were followed for a average of 11.8 months (range 6-22 months). Average body mass index declined from 33.5 kg/m2 before to 27.9 kg/m2 at the end of the study. Weight loss averaged 31 lbs (range 16-107 lbs). Triglyceride levels were lowered by 29.5%, HDL raised by 17.6%, and cholesterol decreased by 8.4%. The cholesterol/ HDL ratio changed from 5.31 to 3.78 and LDL cholesterol decreased by 5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of a low-carbohydrate diet for overweight patients with known coronary artery disease undergoing stable statin therapy causes significant weight loss and a favorable change in the lipid panel.
Gann
Dietmar
D
Tucson Heart Hospital, Tucson, Arizona, USA. gannde@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides