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A very low carbohydrate diet and increased physical activity improve LDL particle size in individuals taking statins
Author(s) -
Quann Erin E,
Ballard Kevin D,
Kupchak Brian R,
Maresh Carl M,
Kraemer William J,
Fernandez Maria Luz,
Seip Richard L,
Volek Jeff S
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.938.5
Subject(s) - medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , statin , triglyceride , low density lipoprotein , cholesterol , ldl cholesterol , body mass index , carbohydrate , apolipoprotein b
Statins consistently decrease LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations, however, LDL particle size, a key marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, is not typically affected by statin therapy. This study assessed whether a low carbohydrate diet (LCD) plus increased physical activity (PA) would increase LDL particle size in statin users. Twenty one men and postmenopausal women (mean±SD; age: 59.2±9.5 y, body mass index: 29.5±3.0 kg/m 2 ) taking statin medication (LDL‐C <130 mg/dl) were matched and randomized to a 6‐wk LCD or LCD with increased PA (LCD+PA). Subjects adhered to the diet (1739±481 kcals, 11/58/26 % carb/fat/pro) and walking program (LCD+PA: 4,792 steps > baseline at wk 6). No main effect of PA was detected, therefore group data were combined. LDL‐C concentrations did not change, but there was a significant increase in LDL size from 26.8 nm at baseline to 27.0 nm after wk 6 as measured by non‐gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Peak also increased from 27.2 nm to 27.5 nm (p< 0.05). When vertical auto profile ultracentrifugation was used, time to peak also increased from 114.0 to 115.7 s at wk 6 (p< 0.05). Large sub‐fractions increased (LDL‐1 and LDL‐2) and small dense particles decreased (LDL‐4) (p<0.05). Baseline LDL peak size was negatively correlated with change in peak size (p<0.01). These results suggest that adding a LCD to statin therapy may decrease CVD risk by increasing LDL particle size.