Eating A Low-Carb Diet Shortens Your Lifespan, Really?

One of the healthy diets we know today is the Ketogenic diet. It is rich in healthy fats and low in carb. However, a recent study at the Lancet1 says a low-carb diet can shorten a person's lifespan. Bad news, isn't it? Well, not so and let us explore more on this one.

Low-Carb Diet Shortens Life

Does A Low-Carb Diet Really Shortens Life?

Indeed, this is what the study says. But before we go further, take note that his study involves 15,428 adults with age ranging from 45 to 64 years. The number of people involved is quite large.

In this study, the researchers estimate that people in their 50's eating a moderate carb tend to live 33 years longer. This seems to be that moderate low-carb is better than both high and low-carb diets.

Furthermore, in this study, the researchers are comparing low-carb diet consisting mostly of animal proteins and fats against the plant-based low-carb diets. What they discovered was people who are eating more meat-based such as pork, lamb, beef, cheese, and chicken have a slightly high risk of death.

In a BBC report, Dr. Sara Seidelmann of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and led researcher say;

Low-carb diets that replace carbohydrates with protein or fat are gaining widespread popularity as a health and weight-loss strategy.

However, our data suggest that animal-based low carbohydrate diets, which are prevalent in North America and Europe, might be associated with a shorter overall lifespan and should be discouraged.

Instead, if one chooses to follow a low carbohydrate diet, then exchanging carbohydrates for more plant-based proteins and fats might actually promote healthy aging in the long term.

Now That's Clear

As you might have noticed, led researcher Dr. Sara Seidelmann says to focus more on plant-based fats and proteins. As mentioned earlier, the ketogenic diet is one of the examples of a low-carb diet.

When it comes to health benefits, study finds it reduces brain inflammation and of course, weight loss.

Additionally, this is why many prominent advocates of a low-carb diet are expressing their opinions about this study. For instance, one of the health experts who explain more about the findings of this study is Dr. Aseem Malhotra.

Here is his interview at the BBC News and he confirms a low-carb diet does not shorten lifespan.

It interesting that Dr. Malhorta mentions one study earlier called the PURE study1, which also happens as a reference by Dr. Berg in his video below explaining further about this study findings.

Another health expert who explains more about the findings is Dr. Ken Berry, author of the book Lies My Doctor Told Me: Medical Myths That Can Harm Your Health. In his video below, be furter breaksdown the study and explains more about it.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, it is clear now that eating a low-carb diet does not shorten your life. And, in fact, sticking to it has many health benefits.

However, keep in mind to increase your fruits and vegetable intake including dark green leafy veggies while avoiding highly processed foods like hot dogs. Even the World Health Organization warns about minimizing red meat consumption especially those highly processed.

To learn more about the health benefits of a low-carb diet, watch below;

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