Could Paleo and Keto Diets Harm Your Heart? Butler Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Examines New Research
Low-carb diets like paleo and keto are currently extremely popular. The diets cut out all processed foods and most carbs by focusing on meat, fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a limited amount of fruit. Grains, dairy, and legumes are among the foods that are cut out entirely. The concept is to eat like our ancestors did before modern farming techniques and fast food options took hold.
However, researchers in Australia found that this unbalanced diet could increase a person’s risk of heart disease.
Butler Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing looked over this study, which followed 44 people who followed a strict paleo diet for a year and 47 people who ate a traditional, balanced diet. Researchers found that the paleo group had twice the amount of a biomarker called TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), which is an organic compound produced in the gut.
In previous studies, an increased presence of TMAO could cause up to a 62 percent increase in heart disease risk and the risk of dying by up to 63 percent.
Lack of Fiber Can Lead to Problems
The issue with cutting out all carbs in diets like paleo and keto is that good carbohydrates are also getting cut. This includes fiber, a nutrient that most Americans on regular diets are already not getting enough of — this study shows that only five percent of Americans are getting the recommended daily amount of fiber.
And a proper amount of fiber in the diet can not only lead to good gastrointestinal health and regular bowel movements, but it can also reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
The good news for paleo and keto disciples is that fiber can be obtained from other foods besides whole grains — this includes avocado, broccoli, nuts, seeds, and some fruits.
To learn more about Butler Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit https://centershealthcare.com/butler_center/nursing.
