Should glycemic index and glycemic load be considered in dietary recommendations?

High glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) have been proposed to be associated with increased risk of lifestyle diseases. Since protein intake varies little in humans, adherence to the common recommendation to reduce fat intake probably leads to increases in carbohydrate intake, which emphasizes the need to investigate the effects of carbohydrate on diet-related conditions and diseases. This review examines the epidemiological literature linking GI and GL to heart disease, insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity among initially healthy people.

Glycaemic index and glycaemic load in relation to blood lipids - 6 years of follow-up in adult Danish men and women.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between glycaemic index (GI) or glycaemic load (GL) and serum lipids. However, no prospective studies have been performed.

Objective: To examine whether GI or GL was associated with subsequent changes in serum lipids.