Investigation of the impact of a short-term low-carbohydrate paleolithic diet on cardiovascular risk markers

Abstract

Background: Low carbohydrate diets like the Paleolithic diet have caught the attention of the public and medical professionals in their ability for weight loss, and diabetic control among others. However, an important question about their effect on lipid levels and cardiovascular risk has not been answered enough. Aims: Our study aimed to observe the impact of a short-term Low-carbohydrate Paleolithic diet on Lipids such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HDL), Triglycerides (TAG) and cardiovascular risk markers such as Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB). Materials and methods: This is a 3-month study involving 106 participants who were attending our hospital OPD for various health issues and were studied and tested before and after a diet intervention. The diet prescribed is a low carbohydrate Paleolithic diet having a protein, Carbohydrate and fat ratio around 15:20:65 and are regularly followed for compliance. Results: After three months, it was seen that this diet has significantly decreased Triglycerides (p=0.001); significantly increased LDL (p=0.0009), HDL (p=0.005) and ApoA1 (p=0.01); whereas there was no change in ApoB levels, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and LDL/ApoB ratio. Conclusion: A short-term Low carbohydrate paleolithic diet is not pro-atherogenic but it favorably alters lipid profile and cardiac markers thereby reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).