tirascorner on Nostr: "The carnivore diet made my cholesterol shoot up!" First, so frikkin what? Read The ...
"The carnivore diet made my cholesterol shoot up!"
First, so frikkin what? Read The Great Cholesterol Myth and stop being in fear!
Second, cholesterol levels can rise during weight loss due to the way the body mobilises and processes stored fat, along with changes in metabolism. Here’s a breakdown of why this happens.
Mobilisation of Stored Fat: When you lose weight, your body breaks down fat tissue (adipose tissue) to use as energy. Cholesterol is stored in these fat cells alongside triglycerides. As fat is burned, the cholesterol within it is released into the bloodstream, temporarily increasing circulating cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Increased Lipoprotein Activity: During weight loss, especially rapid weight loss, the liver ramps up production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) to transport triglycerides and cholesterol from fat stores to other tissues for energy use. VLDL is eventually converted to LDL in the bloodstream, which can elevate LDL cholesterol levels until the body adjusts.
Reduced Clearance of Cholesterol: While fat breakdown increases cholesterol release, the body’s mechanisms for clearing cholesterol (like HDL picking it up or the liver excreting it via bile) might not immediately keep pace. This lag can lead to a temporary spike in blood cholesterol levels.
Ketosis and Low-Carb Diets: If weight loss involves a low-carb or ketogenic diet, the shift to burning fat for fuel (ketosis) can amplify this effect. The liver processes more fatty acids and cholesterol, often increasing LDL production as a byproduct.
Individual Variation: Genetics and metabolic factors play a role too. Some people experience a more pronounced rise in cholesterol due to how their bodies handle lipid metabolism during weight loss.
Is This Rise Permanent?
Typically, this increase is temporary. As weight stabilises and fat loss slows, cholesterol levels often normalise.
Evidence and Context
Studies, like those on rapid weight loss (e.g., post-bariatric surgery or extreme dieting), show transient LDL spikes in many cases. For example, research on ketogenic diets often notes an initial cholesterol increase that later adjusts.
First, so frikkin what? Read The Great Cholesterol Myth and stop being in fear!
Second, cholesterol levels can rise during weight loss due to the way the body mobilises and processes stored fat, along with changes in metabolism. Here’s a breakdown of why this happens.
Mobilisation of Stored Fat: When you lose weight, your body breaks down fat tissue (adipose tissue) to use as energy. Cholesterol is stored in these fat cells alongside triglycerides. As fat is burned, the cholesterol within it is released into the bloodstream, temporarily increasing circulating cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Increased Lipoprotein Activity: During weight loss, especially rapid weight loss, the liver ramps up production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) to transport triglycerides and cholesterol from fat stores to other tissues for energy use. VLDL is eventually converted to LDL in the bloodstream, which can elevate LDL cholesterol levels until the body adjusts.
Reduced Clearance of Cholesterol: While fat breakdown increases cholesterol release, the body’s mechanisms for clearing cholesterol (like HDL picking it up or the liver excreting it via bile) might not immediately keep pace. This lag can lead to a temporary spike in blood cholesterol levels.
Ketosis and Low-Carb Diets: If weight loss involves a low-carb or ketogenic diet, the shift to burning fat for fuel (ketosis) can amplify this effect. The liver processes more fatty acids and cholesterol, often increasing LDL production as a byproduct.
Individual Variation: Genetics and metabolic factors play a role too. Some people experience a more pronounced rise in cholesterol due to how their bodies handle lipid metabolism during weight loss.
Is This Rise Permanent?
Typically, this increase is temporary. As weight stabilises and fat loss slows, cholesterol levels often normalise.
Evidence and Context
Studies, like those on rapid weight loss (e.g., post-bariatric surgery or extreme dieting), show transient LDL spikes in many cases. For example, research on ketogenic diets often notes an initial cholesterol increase that later adjusts.