Low-carb recipes Meal plans About low carb Get started Video News Stories Science Cholesterol and low-carb diets By Franziska Spritzler, RD , medical review by Dr. Bret Scher, MD – Updated January 20, 2019 What is cholesterol? Cholesterol in your body “Normal” cholesterol levels Low carb and cholesterol Cholesterol increase on low carb How to lower cholesterol on low carb Advanced testing Recommended resources Cholesterol is often viewed negatively due to its historical association with heart disease. However, its role in heart health is controversial. 1 Read on to learn what cholesterol is, how your body uses it, why low-carb and keto diets may lead to a change in blood cholesterol levels, and whether you should be concerned if your cholesterol increases with a keto or low-carb lifestyle. The basics: What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential for the life of all a