Improved Cardiovascular Indices with High Fat Saturated and Unsaturated Ketogenic Diets in Rat Model

The aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of different fat type ketogenic diet on some cardiovascular biomarkers in rat models. Forty Wistar albino rats were grouped into four and fed three types of ketogenic diets made of coconut oil, olive oil and butter. Ketogenic diets resulted in significant (P<0.05) weight loss. Total cholesterol in rats treated with coconut oil showed a significant increase (P<0.05) while those treated with butter showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared with control. HDL cholesterol level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in rats treated with coconut oil when compared with control and also when compared with butter which showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared with control. For LDL cholesterol and triglyceride there was no significant difference in all the treated groups when compared with control but increased significantly (P<0.05) in coconut oil treated rats when compared with olive oil treated rats. Plasma fibrinogen and relative plasma viscosity showed a significant decrease in rats treated with butter and coconut oil when compared with control. We therefore conclude that high fat ketogenic diet is safe for cardiovascular health.