Low-carbohydrate Diet and Low-Density Lipoprotein - Cholesterol (LDL-c) Interindividual Variability

Ketogenic diets are very low-carbohydrate diets that increase hepatic production of ketone bodies, which have several effects as substrates and signals. Ketogenic diets are used to manage some conditions (e.g., drug-resistant epilepsy), and their potential for managing many other conditions (e.g., cancer) is being actively explored. Indeed, the British Dietetic Association acknowledge the potential for ketogenic diets to improve glycaemic control to a greater extent than some other diets in people with type 2 diabetes. A lower fasting glucose is also relevant to future mortality in people without diabetes. Ketogenic diets are popular in the general population, with up to 15% of the UK following a low-carbohydrate diet. There is, therefore, great interest in ketogenic diets amongst people with and without health conditions. However, although the diet shows promising results in improving blood sugar levels, it has also shown to increase low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) in some individuals, which has been linked to increased cardiovascular health risks. The aim of this project is to find the potential for personalised use of (or guidance to avoid) ketogenic diets for cardiovascular disease risk. To do that the investigators will ask participants to replicate 24 hours of a ketogenic diet and a control diet thrice each. This will allow the investigators to find variability between responses and have a better idea of individuals who could benefit (or not) from following the ketogenic diet.