You have probably heard some people say that a diet that a high fat diet, such as the keto diet, can cause your arteries to clog up. This is pretty alarming because clogged arteries could lead to heart diseases and other cardiovascular problems, which could potentially lead to death. But before you get too concerned, let’s find out if there is some truth behind this.
Understanding Cholesterol
One of the benefits of a high fat diet like the low carb, keto diet is that it increases the level of healthy cholesterol in your body. Increasing the healthy cholesterol level could minimize your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Unfortunately, when people hear the word cholesterol, they often think of it as a bad thing. But you no doubt know that there is both “good”and so called “bad” cholesterol. Both types of cholesterol are important in maintaining good health. HDL, which means High-density Lipoprotein, is the “good” cholesterol, while the LDL, which stands for low-density lipoprotein, is the “bad” but essential cholesterol.
High Fat, Keto Diet and Cholesterol
Since high-fat diets like the keto, would require you to eat a large amount of saturated fats, your cholesterol level could increase, which many thought could cause your arteries to clog. While it’s commonly believed that the increase in cholesterol is a bad thing, this is not always the case.
A meta-analysis done in 2010 discusses the belief that consuming a high level of saturated fat could lead to cardiovascular diseases. It was found that there’s no validity to this. The study did not find a strong link between consuming high-fat food and cholesterol. Another study has looked into the different low carb, high-fat diets and found that these diets can actually help to minimize your risk of heart diseases.
Is a High Fat Diet Safe?
Yes, high-fat diets like the keto is totally safe. But don’t forget that you eat healthy fat on a low carb, keto diet. Some of the saturated fats recommended on a keto diet contain monounsaturated fat and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are healthy fats. As per the studies mentioned above, high-fat diets are more beneficial than harmful to your body. Contrary to what many people thought, these diets will not cause your arteries to clog. As a matter of fact, it can help to minimize your chances of getting heart diseases because of the presence of good HDL cholesterol. The more HDL cholesterol you have, the higher your chances of avoiding heart diseases.
Related reading: Best Fats To Eat On A Low Carb Diet
Relatated reading: Does MCT Oil Help You Burn Fat?
Conclusion
Now that you understand what cholesterol is and the benefits of HDL cholesterol in our body, you should consider following a high-fat diet. It will not only help you lose weight but it helps to improve your health as well. Several studies have shown that following a diet that’s low in carbohydrates and high in fat is good for your body as it improves the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol. High-fat diets will definitely not cause your arteries to clog. This is simply a myth.
