I am a long time low-carb zealot who has recently become troubled by something seemingly contradictory in the literature.
What I am referring to are some discussions and writings by Dr. Thomas Dayspring. He has noted “there are some people who go on a low-carb high-fat diet that experience worsening of their cholesterol markers." I am not just talking about the (significance disputed) LDL levels and total cholesterol, but more import, the LDL-P or “particle” counts.
https://www.lecturepad.org/daysprin...licsCase291.pdf
More troubling is that some of these folks have seen marked improvements by adding carbohydrates and cutting saturated fat in their diets! Why is this troubling? Because According to Dr. Thomas Dayspring dietary intake of fat has little to do with the fat levels in our blood because our liver produces most of our blood cholesterol. If true, then cutting saturated fat in the diet should have little to no effect on those levels in the blood, right? Is it possible that maybe dietary fat intake DOES create a significant impact on blood cholesterol levels?
It reminds me of this great quote:
“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not “Eureka” but “That's funny...” —Isaac Asimov (1920–1992).
Indeed, after having been indoctrinated with the idea that dietary carbohydrates are what regulate blood cholesterol levels I find it “funny” that someone who is adding carbohydrates and cutting saturated fat intake is experiencing such a strong cut in serum cholesterol levels and particle counts.
If Dr. Dayspring were not credible, I would disregard this information as being from a biased processed food industry-funded study, but he is clearly IN the LCHF camp.
What led me down this path was a concern I have about my LDL-P. After more than a year of a disciplined ketogenic diet, I went in for an NMR blood test (as recommended by Dr. Dayspring) and my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw my particle count; it is 3200!!!!
My HDL is good, and my triglycerides are good, but my total cholesterol is over 300. The total cholesterol level alone does not cause me concern (I know some studies would say higher is better). My big concern is the particle count. According to Dayspring, it is the particle count that is the most important number in predicting heart disease.
How can this be? How can I be on a ketogenic diet, which according to my own beliefs and those of many of those in this forum be the most health healthy option, yet I generate a particle count that is seemingly so unhealthy?
Also, how it is that others in the same situation have “fixed” this problem by ADDING carbohydrates and cutting saturated fat intake? Their experience is contrary to “our” entire argument!
Until I can get an appointment with the right expert, I am self-medicating this with Slo-Niacin as suggested by Dr. William Davis (Wheat Belly).
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/mar2007_atd_01.htm
In my opinion, this observation raises significant questions about what we all believe about the LCHF diet and or what we believe about the value of LDL-P levels.
Feedback, thought's, opinions?