Negative effect of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet on small peripheral artery reactivity in patients with increased cardiovascular risk

A low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet reduces arterial wall function in patients with high odds of developing cardiovascular diseases.

This study investigated the effect of low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet on small artery reactive hyperemia index (saRHI) –a marker for arterial wall function— in patients with increased cardiovascular risk. 247 patients were placed on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and high-fat diet. The saRHI values of all the subjects together with their low carbohydrate diet score (LCDS), biochemical, demographic, anthropometry, and physical examination parameters were recorded.

Researchers found out that patients with low LCDS have higher saRHI values than those with high LCDS. Multivariate analysis showed that subjects having the highest LDCS had a negative coefficient of saRHI. This study provides evidence that low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet is linked to reduced small peripheral artery vascular reactivity in patients with high risk of developing of cardiovascular diseases.