A new study has found that following a low-carbohydrate diet may improve cholesterol by increasing HDL – or "good" – cholesterol.

Researchers enlisted 307 obese individuals for the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Half of the participants followed a low-carb diet, while the other half followed a low-fat diet for a period of two years.

While individuals in both groups lost about the same amount of weight throughout the course of the study, researchers found that HDL profiles were better among those who limited their carbohydrate intake.

"For many years there have been concerns that the low-carbohydrate approach to weight loss was bad for the heart," said lead researcher Gary Foster, Ph.D. "This study would suggest those concerns are largely unfounded."

Low-carb diets, like the Atkins Diet or the South Beach Diet, limit the amount of carbohydrates eaten such as bread, grains, rice, starchy vegetables and fruit. Instead, protein and fat are emphasized.

Healthcare experts say that the best weight loss plans result in safe, gradual weight loss.