Low-Carb Diets Hit the Headlines Again

More they have no idea what they are talking about.

"A small study in only 24 patients and lasting just eight weeks has reignited debate over the relative benefits and possible harms of low-carb vs low-fat diets.

In the December 2009 issue of Diabetes, Dr Una Bradley (Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK) and colleagues found that the low-carb diet they studied significantly increased a little-known measure of arterial stiffness, the aortic-augmentation index. "This observation is of concern and, if confirmed, would suggest a potentially negative effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on long-term vascular health," they conclude. The findings have prompted media reports with headlines such as 'Low-carb diets hurt hearts.'

One expert contacted by heartwire takes issue with the findings, claiming that the study is being reported as negative for low-carb diets, when in fact there was no difference in weight loss or insulin resistance between the two groups (low-carb diets and low-fat diets). Bradley et al are accused of naivety at best or--to take it to the other extreme--being unduly influenced by the UK Sugar Bureau, which sponsored the study."

Do what is tried and true and don't be distracted by the noise.