Study: Low-Carb diets can cause heart rhythm disturbances

Can trigger low-carbohydrate diet atrial fibrillation?

Low-Carb diets, are widely used at the time for losing weight popular and widely. Nutrition experts argue, however, about whether or not a diet with as little carbohydrates is actually healthy. Now, an international study team noted, on the basis of the health data of around 14,000 people, that a Low-Carb diet is associated with a significantly higher risk for heart rhythm disturbances.

People who receive only a small portion of your daily calories from carbohydrates such as cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, to develop clearer, more atrial fibrillation than those with a moderate intake of carbohydrates. This is an international team of researchers showed in a recent study, which was recently presented at the “American College of Cardiology”.

Less carbs = more heart rhythm disorders?

In a large American-Chinese research work is a clear connection between a carbohydrate was found to be poor diet and the increased incidence of atrial fibrillation. The researchers, the Participants divided into three groups. A group’s diet consisted mainly of carbohydrate-rich, another group ate a moderate proportion of carbohydrates and a third group ate a Low-Carb. In the group that took the least amount of carbohydrates, 18 percent more cases of atrial fibrillation, than in the group with moderate carbohydrate intake.

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke

Atrial fibrillation is the most common Form of heart rhythm disorder. In this case, the heart beats at irregular intervals. This can manifest itself by symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness and chronic fatigue. “People with atrial fibrillation have five times more likely to have a stroke than people without this cardiac rhythm disorder,” warns the study team.

Data from more than two decades

The data were collected in more than two decades, in the years 1985 to 2016. The Participants had to make extensive disclosures to their diet and were then divided into three groups. Low-Carb, Medium-Carb and High-Carb. On average, carbohydrates accounted for about half of the calories consumed. The Low-Carb group were assigned to all Participants to pass their daily calories less than 44.8 percent from carbohydrates. In the Medium-Carb group of the daily calories came to 44,8 up 52.4 percent from carbohydrates. All the more carbohydrates consumed, ended up in the High-Carb group.

The Low-Carb group had the highest risk

In the course of 22 years, 1,900 people developed of the 14,000 Participating atrial fibrillation. “Low-carbohydrate diets were associated with an increased risk for the Occurrence of atrial fibrillation, regardless of the type of Protein or of Fat, as a substitute for the carbohydrates used wurde“, study lead author Dr. Xiaodong Zhuang sums up the results. The Low-Carb group had an 18 percent higher likelihood of developing an atrial fibrillation, than people with a moderate carbohydrate intake rates. Also, compared to the group with a high carbohydrate intake of the Low-Carb group had to develop a 16 percent higher risk of atrial fibrillation.

Possible reasons for the increased risk

Dr. Zhuang explains the possible reasons for this observation: firstly, people who adopt a low-carbohydrate diet tend to consume fewer vegetables, fruit and cereals. This, according to Zhuang all foods that can reduce inflammation in the body and the risk for heart rhythm disorders minimize. On the other, the consumption of more protein and fat instead of carbohydrate-rich foods is associated with more oxidative Stress, is also associated with atrial fibrillation.

The cause is not fixed yet

Zhuang emphasized, however, that the research shows a connection, however, no cause and effect can prove. For this purpose, a randomized controlled study is needed. The long-term effect of carbohydrate reduction is still controversial, particularly in terms of their influence on heart disease, says the cardiologist. The latest results suggest, however, that this method is enjoy for losing weight rather with caution, as Zhuang. (vb)