Macro partitioning
A low-carbohydrate diet produces significantly greater improvements in HDL cholesterol levels compared to a low-fat diet, even when weight loss is equivalent.
If you choose a low-carbohydrate diet, you can expect a significant boost in HDL (good) cholesterol, which is a positive marker for heart health. This benefit persists even if your weight loss is similar to what you'd get from a low-fat diet. Monitor your lipids, but don't let fear of dietary fat prevent you from trying a low-carb approach if it suits your lifestyle.
The low-carbohydrate diet group had greater increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at all time points, approximating a 23% increase at 2 years.
Why this rating
RCT, long duration, clear statistical significance for HDL differences.
Source
Weight and Metabolic Outcomes After 2 Years on a Low-Carbohydrate Versus Low-Fat Diet
Gary D. Foster et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2010
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