Macro partitioning
Low-carbohydrate diets significantly increase HDL-cholesterol levels compared to low-fat diets, although the clinical significance of this increase for cardiovascular risk reduction remains uncertain.
Low-carb diets tend to raise your HDL ('good') cholesterol more than low-fat diets do. However, don't assume this automatically protects your heart. Current evidence suggests that simply raising HDL doesn't necessarily lower heart disease risk, so focus on the bigger picture of weight management and overall lipid profile.
subjects on the LC diets experienced a greater increase in ... HDL-cholesterol (WMD 0·14 mmol/l; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·19)
Why this rating
Consistent finding across meta-analysis, but clinical translation is debated in the discussion.
Source
Effects of low-carbohydrate diets<i>v</i>. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Nadia Mansoor et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2015
DOI 10.1017/s0007114515004699
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