During weight maintenance a high saturated fat, high beef diet increased the number of small dense LDL particles.

In a study co-authored by Ronald Krauss, during weight maintenance two low-carb diets (one high and one low in saturated fat) were compared to a high-carb diet that was also high in saturated fat. The values for small dense LDL were 222 nmol/l in the low-carb, high saturated fat diet ; 207 nmol/l in the high-carb diet, high saturated fat diet; and 187 nmol/l in the low-carb, low saturated fat diet.

Mangravite LM, Chiu S, Wojnoonski K, Rawlings RS, Bergeron N, Krauss RM. Changes in atherogenic dyslipidemia induced by carbohydrate restriction in men are dependent on dietary protein source. J Nutr.2011Dec;141(12):2180-5.
http://www.slideshare.net/pronutritionist/beef-low-carb-diet (see slide 6)

What Dr. Krauss said about this study:
"This is one of the surprises that keep life interesting for us for us as researchers and also for the world out there who happens to be looking over our shoulder. In this case, the surprise was that the combination of the high beef diet and the high saturated fat diet caused very serious increases in all of the cholesterol related risk factors we had been measuring, including total particle numbers, small LDL, total LDL cholesterol, inflammation, whatever we looked at, we saw an adverse effect."
http://www.meandmydiabetes.com/2012/04/17/ron-krauss-saturated-fat-red-meat-it-depends

Lifelong reductions in LDL linked to consistent reduction in CHD risk

Scientists studied nine single nucleotide polymorphisms which influence LDL levels. From homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia at the high extreme (over 600 mg/dL LDL cholesterol) to hypobeta-lipoproteinemia at the low extreme (less than 15mg/dL LDL cholesterol). Since these SNP's are present from birth, this allowed them to see the effect of low LDL levels maintained over a lifetime. The results show a three times greater benefit for these life long low LDL levels compared taking statins later in life. Ference stated, "the effect of each of the included SNPs on risk of CHD is mediated largely or entirely through effect on circulating levels of LDL, rather than through some other pleiotropic effect."

"The researchers also conducted a meta-analysis of the "natural" randomized trials by combining non-overlapping data from multiple SNPs involving 326,443 participants. Results of this study indicated that lifetime exposure to lower LDL was associated with a 54% (95% CI, 48-59) relative reduction of CVD for each 38.7 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) lower LDL." There is a clear dose response relationship. And no one is suggesting that people that statins all their life, but low animal fat diets can do a lot to improve LDL.

Ference BA. Late-breaking clinical trials IV. Presented at: the American College of Cardiology 61st Scientific Session & Expo; March 24-27, 2012; Chicago
http://www.endocrinetoday.com/view.aspx?rid=95991

Modified 04-20-2012