>However, in one of the few (and best controlled) metabolic ward trials of
>a carbohydrate free (<20 gm/day) diet, Phinney and colleagues (20)
>demonstrated  a rather large rise in serum cholesterol (159 to 208 mg/dl)
>in nine lean, healthy males who participated in this 35 day in patient
>trial.    The protein content of the diet was estimated to be 15%, whereas
>the fat content of the diet represented between 83-85% of total daily
>calories.

Dr Atkins said this happens initially, but long term, total cholesterol
decreases.  In my case this was true, as my cholesterol rose about 15
points during the first couple of months, but has dropped 30 points (45
points from the highest rise) over the last three years.

My wife, on the other hand, has increased her cholesterol by about 40
points over the last three years, all of it being a rise in her good
(hdl) cholesterol which rose from 60 to 100.  I presume this is good, as
her cardiovascular risk is nil according to her ratio of ldl/hdl.

--
Bill