Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., and Theodore Feldman, M.D., co-authored a paper that was among the "most read" and examined the KETO diet's effect on lowering cholesterol.

Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., chief medical executive of integrated services and precision care and deputy director of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and Theodore Feldman, M.D., co-director of the lipid/metabolic clinic at the Institute, along with diagnostic radiologist Ricardo Cury, M.D., have co-authored one of the “most-read” papers in 2024, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

Their paper, “Carbohydrate Restriction-Induced Elevations in LDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis: The KETO Trial,” was one of the top five most-read papers in JACC: Advances for the year 2024.

The study examines claims that carbohydrate-restricted diets, such as KETO, raise LDL, commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol,” levels in some individuals who follow the high-fat, high-protein diet. Their study, however, showed no significant difference in atherosclerotic plaque buildup among KETO dieters compared with metabolically healthy individuals.  

The study’s findings challenge traditional views that higher levels of LDL indicate higher cardiovascular risk and the need for statin medications in all patients with this indicator. Dr. Fialkow points to the study when touting the importance of personalized care. “Doctors should not ignore high levels of LDL-C when treating patients, but they now know other factors should be considered before prescribing medications,” he said.