It is well known that in order to lower cholesterol you also need to lose weight. To effectively lose weight, the eternal formula will always be: burning more fat and calories than consumed. The question whether many fad, hype and temporary approaches to diet along with more scientifically based dieting methods that have concurred the bookshelves, may be effective for losing weight is less relevant than the question whether these diets do not contradict one of the basic dietary principle to lowering cholesterol which is to limit the amount of saturated fat and high cholesterol foods.

In 5 clinical trials in which 447 people aged 42 to 49 had participated and conducted in the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, the findings regarding the effect of low carb and low fat diets on cholesterol were as follows:

With half the group placed on low carb diet and the other half experimented with low fat diet, it appeared that although the low carb diet group had lost weight just as quickly and maintained the weight loss just as long as the low fat diet group, and there was an equal rate of blood pressure reduction in both groups, the low carb diet group had a clear elevation of the LDL cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein) is also known as the bad cholesterol, which has the tendency to build up within artery walls and promote the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. However, the surprising thing was that the HDL cholesterol or the good cleansing cholesterol was also raised among the low carb diet group along with a clear reduction in triglycerides.

Regardless of whether low carb diet are healthy or effective in losing weight for the long run and in managing cholesterol, losing weight is one of the main pillars in managing cholesterol and avoiding heart disease and stroke. Like anything else, in weight loss and in lowering cholesterol the basic rule of thumb is moderation. Your carbohydrates as well as fat consumption should not be moderate and there should be a balance between the two. Stepping into a well balanced low fat and low in cholesterol diet, based on whole foods, vitamins and minerals along with proper exercise can almost guarantee not only significant weight loss, but also the effective lowering of cholesterol and the prevention of the heart disease, hypertension and heart disease.

Moderation in fat and carbohydrate intake can result in weight loss without the risk of long term heart problems because it reduces the risk of hypertension and diabetes.