Controversy has surrounded low-carb diets, and many other diets, for years. While there are pros and cons to all diets, there are very few disadvantages to following a low-carb diet and a number of proven health benefits, besides weight loss. We take a look at some of the top benefits here.

Levels of ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol Increase

The ‘good’ cholesterol is often called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the higher your levels of HDL, the lower your risk of heart disease. One of the best ways to increase the HDL or ‘good’ cholesterols in your body is to eat fat (good fat), which low-carb diets include a lot of. Therefore, people enjoying a low-carb diet tend to see an increase in HDL levels, while these levels only moderately increase, or even decrease, on a low-fat diet.

Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels are Reduced

Diabetes and insulin resistance affects millions of people worldwide, and low-carb diets can be particularly helpful to these people. Studies have proven that consuming fewer carbohydrates lowers both insulin and blood sugar levels drastically, and many people with diabetes may need to reduce their insulin dosage almost immediately after starting a low-carb diet. Be sure to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medication when suffering from diabetes or insulin resistance.

‘Bad’ LDL Cholesterol Levels are Improved

People with higher ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels are more likely to have heart attacks, however this is also dependent on the size of the cholesterol particles. Smaller particles tend to be linked to a higher risk of heart disease, while larger particles are linked to a lower risk. Low-carb diets actually increase the size of the “bad” LDL particles, while at the same time reducing the total number of LDL particles in our bloodstreams. Ultimately, a lower carbohydrate intake can boost the health of your heart.

Helps with Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It includes the following symptoms:

• Abdominal obesity
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL (good) cholesterols
• High blood pressure
• Elevated fasting blood sugar levels

Following a low-carb diet is effective in treating all five of the above symptoms of metabolic syndrome, and in many cases, it has almost eliminated the issues.

These are just a few of the health benefits of enjoying a low-carb diets, and there are many more to consider. A lot of research into low-carb diets has been done and the benefits have been proven time and again. If you’re interested in finding out more about a low-carb diet, be sure to visit our website at www.go-lo.co.za and check out some other blog posts and articles we have shared.