Scientists at Oxford University have endured the controversial Atkins diet to use themselves as guinea pigs in pioneering £1.5m cardiac research.

Dr Michaela Schuermann-Freestone The team of 17 physiology department researchers spent two weeks eating high-protein, high-fat foods to increase their levels of free-fatty acids -- a known side-effect of the weight-losing regime.

By taking part in the diet, they were able to use themselves as a control group for their study into the tiny particles of fat, which are also found in large amounts among heart disease patients.

Their results have already highlighted the possibility of new drugs being developed to combat the disease.

The Atkins diet involves eating lots of protein and fat, while cutting out carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and rice. Despite a large following, critics warn it could increase the risk of kidney failure and colon cancer.

Clinical research fellow Dr Michaela Scheuermann-Freestone said she had suffered most of the typical side effects of the Atkins diet, including arrhythmia -- severely irregular heart beats.

The heart disease research is being funded by the British Heart Foundation. The scientists want to discover why the condition makes the heart "lethargic", leaving it without enough energy to beat properly.

They have found evidence that high levels of free-fatty acids make the heart less effective in two ways.

Firstly, it prevents the muscle taking up glucose, the body's natural sugar and energy source.

Secondly, it seems to be linked to high levels of another protein, known as UCP, which prevents the heart using energy effectively.

Combined, the two problems leave the heart less able to protect itself and make it more vulnerable to damage.

Dr Scheuermann-Freestone, who is also a cardiology registrar at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, said: "With the results we have seen so far, we may be able to add significantly to the understanding of how and why the heart is affected by diseases such as diabetes, and why the heart does not work properly any more in patients with heart failure.

"Our data may also point towards possible new ways of treating the weak heart."