High cholesterol - High intakes of animal and saturated fats can lead to unhealthy cholesterol profiles. High cholesterol is linked to heart disease. Since most low carbohydrate dieters find most of their calories in meat-source protein and fat, this has been a longstanding concern. About half of the daily protein intake for Marcus comes from low cholesterol powdered whey protein, blended into a shake. For reasons not entirely understood, low carbohydrate dieters often see the benefit of a drop in triglyceride levels, the blood fats created by the combination of fatty acids and glycerol, a natural oily alcohol in our systems.
Lower triglycerides decrease the risk of arteriosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Because of his emphasis on fish and lean meat, Marcus has found he actually needs to add some fats to his diet for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K as well as essential fatty acids. He uses both flaxseed and cold water ocean fish oils, high in unsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been demonstrated to reduce the accumulation of arterial plaque. And adding salt to high fat meat is going to make it even worse. But Marcus may have struck a nice compromise by staying away from high fat meat and reducing his salt intake. In some people, uric acid levels may be increased by eating liver and kidney meats, as well as fish and fowl.