Low-carbohydrate Diet and LDL Cholesterol: How Diet Affects People Differently
Official title: Exploring True Interindividual Heterogeneity of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Factors in Response to Low-carbohydrate Diets Using a Replicate Crossover Randomised Controlled Trial
Run by University of Bath · NCT07675603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A controlled feeding study tests whether a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet changes LDL cholesterol differently among healthy adults using a rotating sequence of keto and control meals.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Bath Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bath, Bath and North East Somerset) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 2027 |
| Study ends | March 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07675603 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with BMI 18.5–35 kg/m2 and LDL-C below 4.9 mmol/L who can follow a ketogenic diet and attend repeated lab visits.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals who cannot adhere to a ketogenic diet or have conditions affecting lipid metabolism may receive limited or no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study uses a randomized crossover design where 20 healthy adults receive both a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet and a control diet in alternating 1-day blocks across 3 cycles. Researchers will measure metabolism, body composition, blood and urine markers, and activity to see how LDL-C responds to each diet and whether individual factors influence the response. Participants stay in a controlled setting with standardized meals, fasting states, and washouts between visits. Indirect calorimetry, blood draws, DEXA scans, and genotyping are used to characterize responses. The aim is to understand interindividual variability in LDL-C changes during ketogenic feeding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify who might experience LDL-C changes on ketogenic diets, informing personalized dietary guidance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in dietary interventions suggests variability in lipid responses; this study builds on a controlled design to characterize that variability.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: \>18 years * Body mass index: 18.5-35 kg·m-2 * Low-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol \<4.9 mmol/L * Non-fasting triglycerides \<2.3 mmol/L Exclusion Criteria: * weight instability (\>5% change in body mass within last 3 months) * smoker * diagnosis of hypercholesterolaemia or any other lipid-related disease * diagnosis of diabetes * diagnosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease * elevated fasting glucose (\>5.4 mmol/L) * dietary intolerances or allergies or to other study procedures * diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders * any other condition/medication that could introduce bias to the study * already following a ketogenic diet * not willing to follow a ketogenic diet * unable to understand English language
Where it's running
-
University of Bath
Bath, Bath and North East Somerset, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Javier Gonzalez, PhD — University of Bath
- Study coordinator: Bruno Spellanzon, PhD candidate
- Email: bs954@bath.ac.uk
- Phone: 447769407954
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.