Macro partitioning
Adopting a low-carbohydrate diet pattern (high fat/protein, low carb) is not associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in women, and may moderately reduce risk if the fat and protein sources are vegetable-based.
If you choose to eat a low-carbohydrate diet, prioritize plant-based sources of fat (like nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil) and protein (like beans, lentils, tofu) over animal products. This specific pattern is associated with a lower risk of heart disease in women, whereas general low-carb diets show no increased risk regardless of source.
Our findings suggest that diets lower in carbohydrate and higher in protein and fat are not associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease in women. When vegetable sources of fat and protein are chosen, these diets may moderately reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (82,802 women), long follow-up (20 years), rigorous adjustment for confounders, but observational design prevents causal inference.
Source
Low-Carbohydrate-Diet Score and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women
Thomas L. Halton et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2006
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →