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Protein-based weight-loss diet modifies metabolic syndrome symptoms
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Adults randomly assigned to three different types of high- or moderate-protein weight-loss diets all saw improvements in symptoms for metabolic syndrome, regardless of the type of protein consumed, according to research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Alison M. Hill, MSc, PhD, a professor in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia, and colleagues analyzed data from 62 adults with overweight and metabolic syndrome who consumed a controlled, healthy American diet for 2 weeks before they were randomly assigned to one of three diets. Within the cohort, 21 adults were assigned a modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet high in plant protein (18% protein; two-thirds plant sources; 12 women); 20 adults were assigned a modified DASH diet high in animal protein (beef in an optimal lean diet; 18.4% protein; two-thirds animal sources; 11 women); 21 adults were assigned to a moderate-protein diet (beef in an optimal lean diet plus protein; 27% protein; two-thirds animal sources; 11 women). All foods were provided to participants.
All participants completed three phases of energy balance: 5 weeks of controlled-feeding weight maintenance, followed by 6 weeks of controlled-feeding weight loss, in which an energy deficit was induced by calorie reduction combined with a walking program, followed by 12 weeks of prescribed, free-living weight loss. All participants attended three one-on-one, 90-minute nutrition education sessions with a registered dietitian during the controlled-feeding period to prepare for the free-living phase. Body composition was determined by DXA; daily weigh-ins were completed at the diet center; participants also underwent fitness assessments at the end of the weight-loss and free-living phases.
At the end of the weight-loss phase, all diet groups achieved 5% weight loss and maintained it through the free-living phase, with no between-diet differences. Criteria for metabolic syndrome decreased for all participants independent of the diet composition. After the weight maintenance phase, 80% to 90% of participants in all three diet groups had metabolic syndrome; this decreased to 50% to 60% of participants after the weight-loss phase and was maintained through the free-living phase.
“The lack of additional changes in body weight or [metabolic syndrome] criteria in the [free-living] phase suggests that participants in this study found it difficult to adhere to the weight-loss recommendations irrespective of the dietary profile,” the researchers wrote. “Second, the moderate-protein diet did not confer any advantage (or disadvantage) in improving [metabolic syndrome] criteria in either the controlled or [free-living] settings compared with the standard protein diets.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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