High fat diets reduce dangerous C-reactive protein levels by 52.6%

This study was published in Diabetologia 2005 Jan;48(1):8-16

Study title and authors:

Comparison of high-fat and high-protein diets with a high-carbohydrate diet in insulin-resistant obese women.

McAuley KA, Hopkins CM, Smith KJ, McLay RT, Williams SM, Taylor RW, Mann JI

Edgar National Centre for Diabetes Research, Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. kirsten.mcauley@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

This study can be accessed at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1abv5hablr8veyrm/fulltext.html

High levels of C-reactive protein and triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. See here and here.

This study investigated the effects of 3 diets on diabetes and heart disease risk factors, such as weight, triglyceride levels and C-reactive protein levels in 96 overweight insulin-resistant women.

The diets were either:
(i) High-carbohydrate, high-fibre diet
(ii) High-protein diet
(iii) High-fat diet

The study found:
(a) When compared with the high carbohydrate diet, the high fat and high protein diets were shown to produce significantly greater reductions in weight loss.
(b) When compared with the high carbohydrate diet, the high fat and high protein diets were shown to produce significantly greater reductions in triglyceride levels.
(c) All diets reduced C-reactive protein levels. The high carbohydrate diet reduced them by 14.8% and the high protein diet by 17.3%. However by far the largest decrease in the dangerous C-reactive protein levels was on the high fat diet, with a 52.6% reduction.

This study reveals how a high fat diet is effective in reducing the risk of heart disease, with weight loss and the reduction of heart disease risk factors such as triglyceride and C-reactive protein levels.