Plain language summary
Insulin resistance is a complex metabolic disorder that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is integral to cardiometabolic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an ad libitum 8-week low-carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diet compared with a high-carbohydrate low-fat (HCLF) diet (current UK guidelines) on cardiometabolic risk factors, the plasma metabolome, and markers of glucose and insulin metabolism in adults with a slightly elevated cardiometabolic risk. This is a parallel randomised design study where participants were randomly assigned to either a HCLF (n = 8), or a LCHF (n = 8) diet for 8 weeks. Results show that both the LCHF and HCLF diets exerted benefits on markers of insulin resistance and metabolic risk. Both diets had no effect on fasting glucose levels, but insulin concentrations significantly decreased comparably with both diets. Authors conclude that following either a LCHF or HCLF diet may reduce the risk of developing T2D by reducing markers of insulin resistance.
Abstract
High carbohydrate, lower fat (HCLF) diets are recommended to reduce cardiometabolic disease (CMD) but low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets can be just as effective. The effect of LCHF on novel insulin resistance biomarkers and the metabolome has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an ad libitum 8-week LCHF diet compared with a HCLF diet on CMD markers, the metabolome, and insulin resistance markers. n = 16 adults were randomly assigned to either LCHF (n = 8, <50 g CHO p/day) or HCLF diet (n = 8) for 8 weeks. At weeks 0, 4 and 8, participants provided fasted blood samples, measures of body composition, blood pressure and dietary intake. Samples were analysed for markers of cardiometabolic disease and underwent non-targeted metabolomic profiling. Both a LCHF and HCLF diet significantly (p < 0.01) improved fasting insulin, HOMA IR, rQUICKI and leptin/adiponectin ratio (p < 0.05) levels. Metabolomic profiling detected 3489 metabolites with 78 metabolites being differentially regulated, for example, an upregulation in lipid metabolites following the LCHF diet may indicate an increase in lipid transport and oxidation, improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, both diets may reduce type 2 diabetes risk albeit, a LCHF diet may enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing lipid oxidation.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
3
Allocation concealment
:
Yes
