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Do High Carbohydrate Diets Increase Cholesterol Levels??
Our doctor told my dad to start cutting back on cholesterol and saturated fat in his diet, but he didn t mention anything about cutting back on carbs in his diet. And since he has virtually eliminated cholesterol/saturated fat containing food, his only source of energy is carbohydrates (beans, rice, potato,bread). Then I was shocked to read in some places online that diets that have 60percent or more carbs can raise cholesterol levels. I hope this isn t true. It s pathetic enough to see him give up his favorite foods (meat, doughnuts, etc) and if he can t even eat potatos and bread. What do you think about this? Did your doctor tell you to cut back on carbs?
posted on
Thu, 17 Dec 2009
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 20 Dec 2009
Answered on
Tue, 23 Aug 2011
Last reviewed on
User's Response
carsten's
Response
Low carb diets continue to get such a bad rap, when most research points to a much improved result in labs. If you go to the Atkins website, you can find all kinds of articles, with proper citation, explaining how well a low carb diet actually works to improve blood levels. If you can find a copy of one of Atkins' books they are very informative.
Sad to say though: Donuts are still out...
Hi Indu,
Welcome to HCM,
Diet does not mean cutting down the quantity of food its quality of food u take,
for high cholesterol the food habit should be balanced diet containing more protein and less carbho and fat. Yes more carb increases the cholesterol level but body needs carb u cant stop it completely, so u have to balance all the macro nutrients that is protein carb and fat, body needs all these but quantity and quality matters.
Regards
Welcome to HCM,
Diet does not mean cutting down the quantity of food its quality of food u take,
for high cholesterol the food habit should be balanced diet containing more protein and less carbho and fat. Yes more carb increases the cholesterol level but body needs carb u cant stop it completely, so u have to balance all the macro nutrients that is protein carb and fat, body needs all these but quantity and quality matters.
Regards
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