Abstract

The interest in intermittent energy restriction (IER) diets as a weight-loss approach is increasing. Different IER protocols exist, including time-restricted eating (TRE), alternate-day fasting (ADF), and the 5:2 diet. This meta-analysis compared the effects of these IER diets with continuous energy restriction (CER) on anthropometrics and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy adults. Twenty-eight trials were identified that studied TRE (k = 7), ADF (k = 10), or the 5:2 diet (k = 11) for 2-52 wk. Energy intakes between intervention groups within a study were comparable (17 trials), lower in IER (5 trials), or not reported (6 trials). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Changes in body weight [WMD: -0.42 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.96 to 0.13; P = 0.132] and fat mass (FM) (WMD: -0.31 kg; 95% CI: -0.98 to 0.36; P = 0.362) were comparable when results of the 3 IER diets were combined and compared with those of CER. All IER diets combined reduced fat-free mass (WMD: -0.20 kg; 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.01; P = 0.044) and waist circumference (WMD: -0.91 cm; 95% CI: -1.76 to -0.06; P = 0.036) more than CER. Effects on body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)], glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, and blood pressure did not differ. Further, TRE reduced body weight, FM, and fat-free mass more than CER, whereas ADF improved HOMA-IR more. BMI was reduced less in the 5:2 diet compared with CER. In conclusion, the 3 IER diets combined did not lead to superior improvements in anthropometrics and cardiometabolic risk markers compared with CER diets. Slightly greater reductions were, however, observed in fat-free mass and waist circumference. To what extent differences in energy intakes between groups within studies may have influenced these outcomes should be addressed in future studies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides data on short-term glycemic variability (GV). GV is associated with adverse outcomes in individuals with diabetes. Whether GV is associated with cardiometabolic risk in individuals without diabetes is unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess whether GV is associated with cardiometabolic risk markers or outcomes in individuals without diabetes. METHODS Searches were performed in PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane from inception through April 2022. Two researchers were involved in study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Studies evaluating GV using CGM for ≥24 h were included. Studies in populations with acute and/or critical illness were excluded. Both narrative synthesis and meta-analyzes were performed, depending on outcome. RESULTS Seventy-one studies were included; the majority were cross-sectional. Multiple measures of GV are higher in individuals with compared to without prediabetes and GV appears to be inversely associated with beta cell function. In contrast, GV is not clearly associated with insulin sensitivity, fatty liver disease, adiposity, blood lipids, blood pressure or oxidative stress. However, GV may be positively associated with the degree of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in individuals with coronary disease. CONCLUSION GV is elevated in prediabetes, potentially related to beta cell dysfunction, but less clearly associated with obesity or traditional risk factors. GV is associated with coronary atherosclerosis development and may predict cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes. Prospective studies are warranted, investigating the predictive power of GV in relation to incident disease. GV may be an important risk measure also in individuals without diabetes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Wholegrain intake is associated with lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases in adults, potentially via changes in the gut microbiota. Although cardiometabolic prevention should start early, we lack evidence on the effects in children. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the effects of wholegrain oats and rye intake on serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and plasma insulin (coprimary outcomes), other cardiometabolic markers, body composition, gut microbiota composition and metabolites, and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with high body mass index (BMI). METHODS In a randomized crossover trial, 55 healthy Danish 8- to 13-y-olds received wholegrain oats and rye ("WG") or refined grain ("RG") products ad libitum for 8 wk in random order. At 0, 8, and 16 wk, we measured anthropometry, body composition by dual-energy absorptiometry, and blood pressure. Fasting blood and fecal samples were collected for analysis of blood lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids. Gut symptoms and stool characteristics were determined by questionnaires. Diet was assessed by 4-d dietary records and compliance by plasma alkylresorcinols (ARs). RESULTS Fifty-two children (95%) with a BMI z-score of 1.5 ± 0.6 (mean ± standard deviation) completed the study. They consumed 108 ± 38 and 3 ± 2 g/d wholegrain in the WG and RG period, which was verified by a profound difference in ARs (P < 0.001). Compared with RG, WG reduced LDL cholesterol by 0.14 (95% confidence interval: -0.24, -0.04) mmol/L (P = 0.009) and reduced total:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001) and triacylglycerol (P = 0.048) without altering body composition or other cardiometabolic markers. WG also modulated the abundance of specific bacterial taxa, increased plasma acetate, propionate, and butyrate and fecal butyrate and reduced fatigue with no other effects on gut symptoms. CONCLUSION High intake of wholegrain oats and rye reduced LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol, modulated bacterial taxa, and increased beneficial metabolites in children. This supports recommendations of exchanging refined grain with wholegrain oats and rye among children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04430465.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically review studies and evaluate the strength of the evidence on nuts/seeds consumption and cardiometabolic diseases and their risk factors among adults. METHODS A protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021270554). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus up to September 20, 2021 for prospective cohort studies and ≥12-week randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Main outcomes were cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and type 2 diabetes (T2D), secondary total-/low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemic markers. Data extraction and risk of bias (RoB) assessments (using RoB 2.0 and RoB-NObS) were performed in duplicate. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses and expressed as relative risk (RR) or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI); heterogeneity quantified as I 2. One-stage dose-response analyses assessed the linear and non-linear associations with CVD, CHD, stroke and T2D. The strength of evidence was classified per the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. RESULTS After screening 23,244 references, we included 42 papers from cohort studies (28 unique cohorts, 1,890,573 participants) and 18 RCTs (2,266 participants). In the cohorts, mainly populations with low consumption, high versus low total nuts/seeds consumption was inversely associated with total CVD (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.75, 0.86; I 2 = 67%), CVD mortality (0.77; 0.72, 0.82; I 2 = 59.3%), CHD (0.82; 0.76, 0.89; I 2 = 64%), CHD mortality (0.75; 0.65, 0.87; I 2 = 66.9%) and non-fatal CHD (0.85; 0.75, 0.96; I 2 = 62.2%). According to the non-linear dose-response analyses, consumption of 30 g/day of total nuts/seeds was associated with RRs of similar magnitude. For stroke and T2D the summary RR for high versus low intake was 0.91 (95% CI 0.85, 0.97; I 2 = 24.8%) and 0.95 (0.75, 1.21; I 2 = 82.2%). Intake of nuts (median ~50 g/day) lowered total (-0.15 mmol/L; -0.22, -0.08; I 2 = 31.2%) and LDL-cholesterol (-0.13 mmol/L; -0.21, -0.05; I 2 = 68.6%), but not blood pressure. Findings on fasting glucose, HbA1c and insulin resistance were conflicting. The results were robust to sensitivity and subgroup analyses. We rated the associations between nuts/seeds and both CVD and CHD as probable. There was limited but suggestive evidence for no association with stroke. No conclusion could be made for T2D. CONCLUSION There is a probable relationship between consumption of nuts/seeds and lower risk of CVD, mostly driven by CHD, possibly in part through effects on blood lipids. More research on stroke and T2D may affect the conclusions. The evidence of specific nuts should be further investigated.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of morning versus evening exercise on weight loss, cardiometabolic health, and components of energy balance. METHODS A total of 100 inactive adults with overweight or obesity were randomized to morning exercise (AMEx; 06:00-09:00), evening exercise (PMEx; 16:00-19:00), or wait-list control (CON). AMEx and PMEx were prescribed 250 min·wk-1 of self-paced aerobic exercise for 12 weeks. Anthropometry and body composition, physical activity, and dietary intake were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2 peak), resting metabolic rate, and blood markers were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. Body composition and V̇O2 peak were also measured at 3- and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS AMEx and PMEx lost weight during the intervention (mean [SD], AMEx, -2.7 [2.5] kg, p < 0.001; PMEx, -3.1 [3.4] kg, p < 0.001). V̇O2 peak significantly increased in both intervention groups, and these changes were different from CON (AMEx, +4.7 mL·kg-1 ·min-1 , p = 0.034; PMEx, +4.2 mL·kg-1 ·min-1 , p = 0.045). There were no between-group differences for resting metabolic rate or physical activity. At 12 weeks, total energy intake was significantly reduced in both AMEx and PMEx versus CON (AMEx, -3974 kJ, p < 0.001; PMEx, -3165 kJ, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Adults with overweight and obesity experience modest weight loss in response to an exercise program, but there does not appear to be an optimal time to exercise.

Abstract

Dietary strawberries have been shown to improve cardiometabolic risks in multiple clinical trials. However, no studies have reported effects on serum metabolomic profiles that may identify the target pathways affected by strawberries as underlying mechanisms. We conducted a 14-week randomized, controlled crossover study in which participants with features of metabolic syndrome were assigned to one of the three arms for four weeks separated by a one-week washout period: control powder, 1 serving (low dose: 13 g strawberry powder/day), or 2.5 servings (high dose: 32 g strawberry powder/day). Blood samples, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and dietary and physical activity data were collected at baseline and at the end of each four-week phase of intervention. Serum samples were analyzed for primary metabolites and complex lipids using different mass spectrometry methods. Mixed-model ANOVA was used to examine differences in the targeted metabolites between treatment phases, and LASSO logistic regression was used to examine differences in the untargeted metabolites at end of the strawberry intervention vs. the baseline. The findings revealed significant differences in the serum branched-chain amino acids valine and leucine following strawberry intervention (high dose) compared with the low-dose and control phases. Untargeted metabolomic profiles revealed several metabolites, including serum phosphate, benzoic acid, and hydroxyphenyl propionic acid, that represented improved energy-metabolism pathways, compliance measures, and microbial metabolism of strawberry polyphenols, respectively. Thus, dietary supplementation of strawberries significantly improves the serum metabolic profiles of cardiometabolic risks in adults.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. The study's overarching goal is to evaluate the impact of HIIT on arterial stiffness in obese hypertensive women. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty obese hypertensive women aged between 40-50 years were randomized to group A (Intervention group, n = 30) or group B (Control group, n = 30). Intervention group received HIIT (4 minutes of cycling at 85-90% of peak HR interspersed with 3-minute active recovery time at 60 - 70% of peak HR, three times per week). Arteriovenous stiffness indicators, the augmentation index corrected for heart rate 75 (AIx@75HR), and oscillometric pulse wave velocity (o-PWV), as well as cardio-metabolic parameters, were assessed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS Finding between-group analysis showed a significant difference in AIx@75HR (95% CI: -8.45 to 0.30) , o-PWV ( 95% CI: -1.14 to 0.15), total cholesterol, (95% CI: -31.25 to -1.12), HDL-cholesterol (95% CI: 8.92 to 0.94), LDL-cholesterol (95% CI: -25.35 to -0.06) , and triglycerides (95% CI: -53.58 to -2.51). CONCLUSIONS High-intensity interval training for 12 weeks has a favorable effect on arterial stiffness in obese hypertensive women and lowers associated cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of the Transform-Us! school- and home-based intervention on children's physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and cardiometabolic risk factor profiles. METHODS A 30-month 2×2 factorial design cluster randomised controlled trial delivered in 20 primary schools (148 Year 3 classes) in Melbourne, Australia (2010-2012), that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up SB, promote PA or a combined approach, compared with usual practice. Primary outcomes (accelerometry data; n=348) were assessed at baseline, 18 and 30 months. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) (n=564), blood pressure (BP) (n=537) and biomarkers (minimum n=206). Generalised linear mixed models estimated the interactive effects of the PA and SB interventions on the outcomes. If there was no interaction, the main effects were assessed. RESULTS At 18 months, there were intervention effects on children's weekday SB (-27 min, 95% CI: -47.3 to -5.3) for the PA intervention, and on children's average day PA (5.5 min, 95% CI: 0.1 to 10.8) for the SB intervention. At 30 months, there was an intervention effect for children's average day SB (-33.3 min, 95% CI: -50.6 and -16.0) for the SB intervention. Children's BMI (PA and SB groups) and systolic BP (combined group) were lower, and diastolic BP (PA group) was higher. There were positive effects on WC at both time points (SB intervention) and mixed effects on blood parameters. CONCLUSIONS The Transform-Us! PA and SB interventions show promise as a pragmatic approach for reducing children's SB and adiposity indicators; but achieving substantial increases in PA remains challenging. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN83725066; ACTRN12609000715279.

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Identifying nutritional compounds which can reduce cognitive decline in older people is a hugely important topic. OBJECTIVE To study the safety and effect of anthocyanins in maintaining cognitive functioning in people at increased risk for dementia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Participants (206 individuals, aged 60-80 years) diagnosed with either mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or two or more cardiometabolic disorders (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, obesity) were enrolled at three different centres in Norway. INTERVENTION Participants were randomly assigned to four capsules with a total of 320 mg/d of naturally purified anthocyanins or placebo 1:1 for 24 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the Quality of Episodic Memory composite measure (0-100) from an online cognitive test battery CogTrack, which was administered at baseline and monthly for the next 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included other cognitive scores from the CogTrack battery. We applied mixed effects models with a baseline test score, group, time and their interaction as fixed effects, as well as other predefined baseline covariates. The primary comparison was the group difference at week 24 based on a modified intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS The primary analysis did not show a significant group difference at 24 weeks (78.2 versus 76.8; adjusted mean difference 1.4 (95% confidence interval -0.9-3.7); effect size 0.15; p = 0.23). However, there was a significant difference in slopes during weeks 8-24 (p = 0.007); the anthocyanin group improved while the placebo group worsened. No differences were found for the secondary cognitive outcomes. Anthocyanin capsules were well-tolerated and safe to use. CONCLUSION Anthocyanin supplementation for 24 weeks was safe and well tolerated in people with MCI or cardiometabolic disorders. We found no significant group difference in episodic memory at the end of the study but statistically significant differences in slopes. Further studies are warranted to explore whether anthocyanins supplementation can reduce cognitive decline in people at increased risk of dementia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, (Identifier NCT03419039). http://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov/, NCT03419039.

Abstract

PURPOSE To investigate the association of meal timing with body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults. METHODS In this cross-sectional study participated 118 young adults (82 women; 22 ± 2 years old; BMI: 25.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2). Meal timing was determined via three non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Sleep outcomes were objectively assessed using accelerometry. The eating window (time between first and last caloric intake), caloric midpoint (local time at which ≥ 50% of daily calories are consumed), eating jetlag (variability of the eating midpoint between non-working and working days), time from the midsleep point to first food intake, and time from last food intake to midsleep point were calculated. Body composition was determined by DXA. Blood pressure and fasting cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and insulin resistance) were measured. RESULTS Meal timing was not associated with body composition (p > 0.05). The eating window was negatively related to HOMA-IR and cardiometabolic risk score in men (R2 = 0.348, β = - 0.605; R2 = 0.234, β = - 0.508; all p ≤ 0.003). The time from midsleep point to first food intake was positively related to HOMA-IR and cardiometabolic risk score in men (R2 = 0.212, β = 0.485; R2 = 0.228, β = 0.502; all p = 0.003). These associations remained after adjusting for confounders and multiplicity (all p ≤ 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Meal timing seems unrelated to body composition in young adults. However, a longer daily eating window and a shorter time from midsleep point to first food intake (i.e., earlier first food intake in a 24 h cycle) are associated with better cardiometabolic health in young men. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02365129 ( https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov/ct2/show/NCT02365129?term=ACTIBATE&draw=2&rank=1 ).