Low Carb Diet vs Heart Disease in Women

Anyone remember the tagline for 1978's Jaws 2?  "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water . . ."  Well, after yesterday's small short study of low carb vs low glycemic index vs low fat diets, all seemed well in nutrition-land, as much as one can expect from small short studies.  That is, until Dr. Dean D pointed out a study released almost contemporaneously in BMJ which concluded that low carb diet was associated w/heart disease.

More specifically, the authors studied 43,396 Swedish women, 30-49yo @ baseline & free of heart disease, and followed for close to 16yrs.  Decrease in carbohydrate consumption, increase in protein consumption, and increase in low carb:high protein score were all statistically significantly associated with increase risk of incident (initial) cardiovascular disease.

Granted, this isn't a randomized controlled trial able to demonstrate cause & effect.  But given the numbers & duration, it's certainly worrisome to recommend low carb diet as a lifestyle, especially if you're a youngish Swedish female.

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