Cardiologist in The Washington Times: ‘Carbohydrates are killing us’

July 11 by in Heart disease, Saturated fat, Sugar/fructose

Overhead view of carbohydrate fruits and vegetables

The conventional advice we’ve been given to reduce heart disease, eat less fat and more carbs, is completely wrong and needs to be turned on its head. In fact, it’s the carbs and not the fat that we should avoid if we want to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease, writes a cardiologist in The Washington Times. And he’s probably right.

For decades, doctors and nutritionists prescribed low-fat diets to people trying to lower their risk of heart disease. Saturated fats in meats and dairy products were thought to clog our arteries. Grains — especially “whole” ones — were thought to help everything from high cholesterol to digestion.

A growing body of research suggests this advice was wrong. For most people, it’s carbohydrates, not fats, that are the true cause of heart disease.

The Washington Times: ‘Carbohydrates are killing us’

Heart disease and cholesterol

"My doctor urged me to take statins"
20:17
Diamond became highly interested in cholesterol and heart disease, and was able to make vast improvements – without ever taking medications.
Nutrition nuggets to combat conventional dietary advice
45:06
What are the seven common beliefs that are just myths, and that hold us back from understanding how to eat truly healthy foods?
Statin Nation
1:02:45
Statin Nation exposes the exaggerations and the misleading, almost criminal, marketing of daily drugs to people who don’t need them.
Statin Nation II
1:15:35
Is high cholesterol the main cause of heart disease? The follow up to the success Statin Nation.
The cholesterol network system
22:24
Can you drastically lower your cholesterol, by eating MORE fat?
What about cholesterol?
04:14
Dr. Unwin discusses cholesterol on a low-carb diet. This includes common improvements and the rare case when patients' cholesterol increases significantly.
Should you worry about high cholesterol?
13:49
Is high cholesterol inherently dangerous, who should (and shouldn't) take statins and what can you do instead of taking medications?
Why high cholesterol is healthy
30:01
Is high cholesterol and LDL dangerous – or could it actually be protective?
The highway to poor health
48:56
Dwight Lundell on endothelial dysfunction, and how the highway to poor health is associated with hyperglycemia.
Is cholesterol the cause of heart disease?
23:54
Does cholesterol really cause heart disease? And if not – what does?
The great cholesterol myth
37:55
“Eating all that fat and cholesterol will clog your arteries and give you heart disease!” Well, it’s not that simple.
What really causes heart disease?
49:51
What is the root of the problem in heart disease? Is it cholesterol – which we've been told for decades – or is it something else?
Solving health problems like an engineer
28:47
Applying engineering problem solving to get to the root of what causes heart disease.
Cholesterol: A passenger, not a driver
27:31
Is high LDL cholesterol problematic – even in the presence of low triglycerides?
Killing for profit?
11:11
Is Big Food and Big Pharma killing for profit? And why can lifestyle intervention be more powerful than medications?
Is high cholesterol dangerous on a low-carb diet?
11:22
What does it mean if some parts of one's lipid profile improve, and some become worse on low carb? Dr. Sarah Hallberg answers this question.
LCHF and LDL
28:56
Can a low-carb diet be bad for your cholesterol? Dr. Sarah Hallberg at Low Carb Vail 2016
Practical lipid management
34:55
How should you think about cholesterol and heart disease? Dr. Cate Shanahan at Low Carb Vail 2016.

Earlier

New study: Keto improves cardiovascular health markers

Most viewed BMJ paper 2017: Saturated fat does not clog the arteries

58 comments

Top comments

Jeff Cessna
July 11 32
I will continue to follow the advice of Dr. Greger at nutritionfacts.org

Replies: #5, #16, #24, #44, #45

Read more →
Rowick
July 11 32
It's not just the carbs but the sugars in everything we eat. Also the chemical additives and pestacides that also trigger issues. These big box food companies look for ways to make us crave their food products with these sugars and additives. They target kids and week minded people. It's sad that we let this continue even after half the world has banned these chemicals our money driven market allows us to still consume them...just sad. Eliminate these items from your diet and you will find a modified keto/ palieo diet is really the correct way to eat and you will lose the cravings for these crap foods. You will lose weight and have a clearer mind in just a few weeks. I lost 28lbs in four weeks with this simple control of food intake no exercise...

Replies: #30, #32

Read more →

1 2

All comments

51
Reply to comment #33 by Kimberly Dunn
Keith
July 18
Nice job!
52
Reply to comment #41 by Jeanne Davison
Keith
July 18
Two reasons...They're not eating the same "processed" carb garbage that proliferates our store shelves and Europe has banned GMO foods.
53
Reply to comment #2 by Larry M
Diane
July 18
What exactly does 'everything in moderation' mean?
54
Imotox
July 19 6
My cholesterol was sky high and triglycerides over 500. In less than four months on Keto my numbers are normalized. Only someone who has been there and done that can have an honest opinion on this truth. People, its the Insulin that is necessary for making Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Its Insulin responcible for storing fat into fat cells. Lower insulin responce by lowering carb intake, and the body will not store fat. Lower carb intake enough, and the body looks for an alternative fuel source, its own fat. Down 10 inches and 65 pounds on Keto for 7 months.
55
Suzanne
July 19 6
I am an RN who had a heart attack last year and had to undergo a CABG. I have an identical twin whose followed low carb diet for well over 15 years and whose 30-35 lbs lighter than my current weight. She and I have had almost the same aliments and surgeries including C3-C4 cervical fusion within 2 weeks of each other and I totally agree that she hasn't had cardiac issues because of her diet! I didn't follow nearly as strictly as she did but you can bet I am today and have already lost 10 pounds! I used to be an avid runner and ran 3-4 miles 5 times a week. I've also taken care of patient's in the ER coming in with MI's that were marathon runners. Exercise and cardio training doesn't prevent heart disease!! I'm done with sugar and carbs. It's nice to see it's finally catching on with confirmed studies.
56
Randy
July 19 1
Carbs in any form increase blood sugar and blood pressure. My blood pressure and blood sugar normalized within a month on 30 gr carbs or less. Had great concentration and focus and no more joint pain.
Stopped insulin and BP meds.
Try it for a month. Once your over adapting to burning fat instead of carbs it gets easier. You will never want to eat carbs again.
2 comments removed
59
Aisha
July 19 2
Why can’t both lifestyles be right? I tried both and ended up meeting somewhere in the middle for great results. They have more in common than differences and the “eat real food” message is the most important 1. We could argue all day about it but our patients suffer when we do that. Stop it!
60
Sandra
July 19 8
What I don't understand is the need some people have to go on over to a website that they disagree with, and post a lot of comments there.....If some other eating plan works for you: hurray! Get out of here. Keto has been the only thing that ever made a difference in my life. I ate a "moderate" diet including whole grains, organic fruits and veggies, lean grassfed meats 90% of the time. That's how I ended up with high blood pressure, overweight, and with a bad blood lipid profile. Since starting keto 4 months ago, I've lost 30 lbs, my blood pressure is better than it has been since I was in University (I'm 57 years old now!), and my triglycerides are just a hair above perfect. For my body type, very low carbohydrates, virtually NO grains, and burning fat for fuel is the answer. I'm not planning on checking out some other low fat website and spamming them with my attitude, though. I'm going to enjoy my good health and my healthy diet!
61
Susie Sunderman
July 19
I believe one diet does not fit all. Otherwise, we would all die from the same diseases and we don't. I know that a vegan diet would not agree with me because I have allergies to some grains and issues with soy. Some day our diets will be based on our own individual DNA ; that has not happened yet. I do better on a low carb diet and with more fat. I do not expect that is true for everyone.
62
Ingrid
July 19
Hey folks, let’s be and show a positive thought re Ketogenic or some other diet. I have been a pescatarian for over 40 years as I cannot digest red meats (medical condition), and have done a moderate Keto style diet for years without realizing it! Yes, I have ventured into others ways of eating to see if my ‘gut’ could tolerate meat, but that didn’t work. I agree with a few of you, that there is a way of eating for each person and it would be nice when our DNA can suggest what is best for us, but until then I am sticking to the Ketogenic method.

I have refined my vegetarian method by eliminating the potatoes and such, but every now and again treat myself to risotto 👍, then the next day will do a fast. Don’t feel quilt at all!

My spouse is a type 2 diabetic and has cut his daytime insulin by half with the goal of stopping it entirely, his nighttime insulin has also been cut back, although it will never be eliminated.

Bottom line, what ever works for you, fantastic, but don’t attempt to push it on others in a derogatory way and let’s not slam others for there way of eating, that’s how hate manifests itself and we don’t need it on this site....we’re here to encourage not demean.
63
A
July 22
I lowered my cholesterol by 13 points eating carbs with the McDougall plan. I tried the Keto diet but it gave me horrible heart palpitations and all that meat was not good for my kidneys.

I am curious as to how all the different civilizations of past did not have heart disease, etc eating potatoes, corn and beans? Just wondering.
64
Carol
July 22
They did but only post agriculture. Like the Egyptians who lived on grains. Listen to Dr Eades very enlightening talk.

1 2