Are you wondering why your cholesterol is so high? Have you been told that it’s because of your diet? Or maybe it’s because of stress. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s probably not the carbs or saturated fat in your diet. In fact, research has shown that a keto diet can increase cholesterol levels and cause high cholesterol.
Can Keto Cause High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. However, high triglycerides are not the same as high cholesterol.
Keto can be good for your cholesterol levels, but it’s important to keep in mind that it isn’t a magic bullet and shouldn’t replace any other healthy lifestyle changes you’re making (like exercising regularly). The keto diet may lower triglyceride levels, but only if done correctly—and even then, there are still other factors at play besides what’s happening with your liver enzymes and HDL/LDL ratios.
Is a High Cholesterol Diet Harmful?
The fact is, high cholesterol isn’t a risk factor for heart disease. This is because there are many other factors that contribute to heart disease, including smoking and high blood pressure.
When you think about how much of a role cholesterol plays in the body (and how important it is), it’s easy to see why people might be concerned about their levels. Cholesterol is an essential part of cell membranes and hormones; without it, your body wouldn’t function properly. However, as we’ve discussed above: there are other factors that can cause similar effects on health—and they’re far more important than any dietary change you make!
Good Cholesterol and Bad Cholesterol do Not Necessarily Need to be Lowered
While high levels of bad cholesterol can be harmful to your health, it doesn’t mean that good cholesterol needs to be lowered. HDL is good and LDL is bad, which means that if you have high levels of HDL (HDL) then there will be less chance of developing heart disease.
The opposite applies if you have high levels of LDL (LDL). While many people choose to lower their total cholesterol by exercising more or eating less saturated fats such as butter, eggs and red meat; this does not necessarily mean that they’re reducing their risk for heart disease as a result because most studies show that these changes don’t reduce overall mortality rates even though they may decrease some types specifically like diabetes mortality rates when compared with those who didn’t change anything at all!
Why Keto is Good for Your Cholesterol Levels
The keto diet is low in carbs, which means that your body uses fat for energy. Your cholesterol levels should improve when you follow a keto diet because the high amounts of fat in keto foods help lower your cholesterol levels. You may also see an increase in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and a decrease in LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
The Potential Side Effects of Keto on Your Cholesterol Levels
If you’re considering a ketogenic diet, it’s important to understand the potential side effects that could be harmful to your health. While some people on the diet have reported positive results, others have faced various challenges due to their high cholesterol levels.
In some people, the ketogenic diet can raise triglycerides, lower HDL cholesterol, raise LDL cholesterol, and cause blood pressure problems. High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease, low HDL cholesterol hinders the removal of excess fatty deposits from arteries, and high LDL cholesterol is linked to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Conversely, low LDL cholesterol may indicate an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.
Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet
Consuming a diet rich in high-fat content causes your body to burn more calories compared to a lower-fat meal, facilitating weight loss. This process involves burning off excess energy from stored fat cells, resulting in increased energy expenditure (or “calories burned”). By following this dietary approach, you stimulate your metabolism, leading to a higher rate of energy utilization.
It effectively taps into your body’s fat reserves, utilizing them as a fuel source and promoting weight loss. Opting for a diet that prioritizes a higher fat intake enables you to achieve your weight loss goals by encouraging increased energy expenditure and the utilization of stored fat
The Keto diet regulates blood glucose levels, reducing spikes after meals or exercise, addressing insulin resistance.
It can increase HDL cholesterol, transporting excess LDL cholesterol from arteries into tissues to prevent harm. People with allergies or autoimmune conditions may experience symptom relief without compromising their health needs.
Conclusion
For decades, people in the fitness community and weight loss seekers have embraced keto diets. These diets, similar to other low-carb approaches, eliminate high-carb and sugary foods like bread and pasta. Instead of consuming glucose or fructose, common in carb-rich foods, fat sources like butter or beef fat are consumed.
