Millions have been converted to the approach, which work because protein keeps hunger at bay for longer.
But lead author Professor Pagona Lagiou, from University of Athens Medical School, yesterday (Tuesday) warned against sticking to such diets long-term.
She said: We found that the lower the intake of carbohydrates and the higher the intake of protein, the greater the risk of cardiovascular disease.
That applies to small differences as well, if they are habitual.
If my long-term diet changes by having one fewer bread rolls a day and one more egg, I will be at a five per cent increased risk of cardiovascular disease or death.
She went on: This study is bad news for people who follow these types of diet for long periods of time. They should be very careful about dietary regimes, the long term safety of which have not been studied adequately.
However, Prof Lagiou said she did not want to be prescriptive about eggs.
I would just say, avoid going to extremes.
She explained it was not the protein per se that was the worry, but the fact that high-protein foods tended to come from animal products high in saturated fat.
A medium-sized egg (boiled or poached) contains 78 calories, 6.5g of protein, a trace of carbohydrate and 5.8g of fat, of which 1.7g is saturated. These are not high amounts of fat but they are relatively high proportions. The yolk is much higher in fat and cholesterol than the white.
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Breakfast egg 'can raise heart disease risk'
