1.
Acute responses of hepatic fat content to consuming fat, glucose and fructose alone and in combination in non-obese non-diabetic individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Kovar, J, Dusilova, T, Sedivy, P, Bruha, R, Gottfriedova, H, Pavlikova, P, Pitha, J, Smid, V, Drobny, M, Dezortova, M, et al
Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society. 2021;72(1)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often associated with obesity or conditions related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes. Steatosis is one of the four stages of NAFLD, where there is a small layer of fat build-up on the liver. Currently, one in three people in the UK has simple fatty liver or steatosis. A fascinating aspect of this study is exploring the long-term cumulative effects of daily fat intake when consumed with glucose or fructose and in the pathogenesis of steatosis. In this randomised controlled study, the researchers examined the immediate impact of high-fat loads on hepatic fat content (HFC) when administered with glucose or fructose in eight healthy overweight males with NFALD. The experiments lasted only eight hours. HFC was only transiently elevated by co-administration of glucose and high-fat loading. However, fructose co-administration with multiple high-fat loads promoted HFC. Small sample size and short duration are the limitations of this study. Long-term robust studies are needed to confirm the findings. Yet, healthcare professionals can use this study to distinguish between the immediate effects of fructose or glucose when combined with multiple doses of high fat on HFC in healthy and NAFLD subjects.
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that a high-fat load can induce immediate increase in hepatic fat content (HFC) and that such an effect can be modified differently by co-administration of fructose or glucose in healthy subjects. Therefore, we addressed the question how consumption of these nutrients affects changes in HFC in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Eight male non-obese non-diabetic patients with NAFLD underwent 6 experiments each lasting 8 hours: 1. fasting, 2. high-fat load (150 g of fat (dairy cream) at time 0), 3. glucose (three doses of 50 g at 0, 2, and 4 hours), 4. high-fat load with three doses of 50 g of glucose, 5. fructose (three doses of 50 g at 0, 2, and 4 hours), 6. high-fat load with three doses of 50 g of fructose. HFC was measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy prior to meal administration and 3 and 6 hours later. Plasma triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose and insulin were monitored throughout each experiment. HFC increased by 10.4 ± 6.9% six hours after a high-fat load and by 15.2 ± 12.5% after high-fat load with fructose. When co-administering glucose with fat, HFC rose only transiently to return to baseline at 6 hours. Importantly, NAFLD subjects accumulated almost five times more fat in their livers than healthy subjects with normal HFC. Consumption of a high-fat load results in fat accumulation in the liver of NAFLD patients. Fat accumulation after a fat load is diminished by glucose but not fructose co-administration.
2.
A Randomized Double-Blind, Cross-Over Trial of very Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight Migraine Patients: A Possible Role for Ketones?
Di Lorenzo, C, Pinto, A, Ienca, R, Coppola, G, Sirianni, G, Di Lorenzo, G, Parisi, V, Serrao, M, Spagnoli, A, Vestri, A, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(8)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
The ketogenic diet (KD) constitutes high-fat, adequate protein, and low-carbohydrate, and has been proven to be efficacious for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Recently, KD showed promising results for treating other neurological conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) in overweight episodic migraine patients during a weight-loss intervention. This study is a double-blind cross-over design randomised trial (of five phases). Participants eligible for trial participation were overweight/obese adults, aged 18 to 65 years, who had at least 12 months’ history of migraines with or without aura. Subjects alternated randomly between a very low-calorie ketogenic diet and a very low-calorie non-ketogenic diet (VLCnKD) each for one month. Results indicate that a 4-week period VLCKD, despite inducing similar weight loss and glycaemic profile, was significantly more effective than VLCnKD in preventing migraine attacks, as evidenced by a decrease in the frequency of migraine days and attacks, and a greater than 50% response rate. Authors conclude that VLCKD is effective for rapid, short-term improvement of migraines in overweight patients, while VLCnKD is not.
Abstract
Here we aimed at determining the therapeutic effect of a very low-calorie diet in overweight episodic migraine patients during a weight-loss intervention in which subjects alternated randomly between a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) and a very low-calorie non-ketogenic diet (VLCnKD) each for one month. In a nutritional program, 35 overweight obese migraine sufferers were allocated blindly to 1-month successive VLCKD or VLCnKD in random order (VLCKD-VLCnKD or VLCnKD-VLCD). The primary outcome measure was the reduction of migraine days each month compared to a 1-month pre-diet baseline. Secondary outcome measures were 50% responder rate for migraine days, reduction of monthly migraine attacks, abortive drug intake and body mass index (BMI) change. Only data from the intention-to-treat cohort (n = 35) will be presented. Patients who dropped out (n = 6) were considered as treatment failures. Regarding the primary outcome, during the VLCKD patients experienced -3.73 (95% CI: -5.31, -2.15) migraine days respect to VLCnKD (p < 0.0001). The 50% responder rate for migraine days was 74.28% (26/35 patients) during the VLCKD period, but only 8.57% (3/35 patients) during VLCnKD. Migraine attacks decreased by -3.02 (95% CI: -4.15, -1.88) during VLCKD respect to VLCnKD (p < 0.00001). There were no differences in the change of acute anti-migraine drug consumption (p = 0.112) and BMI (p = 0.354) between the 2 diets. A VLCKD has a preventive effect in overweight episodic migraine patients that appears within 1 month, suggesting that ketogenesis may be a useful therapeutic strategy for migraines.
3.
Mixed Nut Consumption May Improve Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults.
Abbaspour, N, Roberts, T, Hooshmand, S, Kern, M, Hong, MY
Nutrients. 2019;11(7)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
A large portion of heart disease cases are preventable through lifestyle and dietary modifications. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of daily intake of 42.5 g of mixed nuts on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese adults. This study is an 8-week randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial with two isocaloric treatment groups of mixed-nuts and pretzels. A total of 54 participants (22 females and 32 males) were recruited. Results indicate that supplementation of 42.5 g/day of mixed nuts for 8 weeks decreases body weight, insulin, blood glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase [enzyme] levels compared with consumption of an isocaloric amount of pretzels. Additionally, consumption of pretzels increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels while decreasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Authors conclude that the incorporation of mixed nuts into a usual diet improves some risk factors for CVD.
Abstract
Emerging research indicates that nuts are a source of health-promoting compounds demonstrating cardioprotective benefits. However, most studies have assessed the effect of single nuts rather than a nut mixture. The objective of this study was, therefore, to examine the effect of mixed-nut consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese adults. In a randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial, 48 participants consumed isocaloric (250 kcal) amounts of pretzels or mixed-nuts. Body weight (BW) (p = 0.024), BMI (p = 0.043), and insulin levels (p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the nut group compared to the pretzel group. Mixed-nut consumption also significantly reduced glucose (p = 0.04) and insulin (p = 0.032) levels after 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase of the nut group was significantly lower than the pretzel group (p = 0.002). No significant differences were detected between groups for triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C. However, pretzel consumption increased triglycerides (p = 0.048) from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. Moreover, LDL-C increased (p = 0.038) while HDL-C transiently decreased (p = 0.044) from baseline to 4 weeks. No significant lipid changes were detected within the nut group. Our results suggest that supplementing the diet with mixed-nuts could improve CVD risk factors by improving BW and glucose regulation in comparison to a common carbohydrate-rich snack without promoting the negative effects on lipids detected with pretzels.
4.
Health Biomarkers in Adults Are More Closely Linked to Diet Quality Attributes Than to Plant-Based Diet Categorization.
Mayra, S, Ugarte, N, Johnston, CS
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes are consistently linked to reduced risk for chronic disease, improved cognition, and longevity. The aim of the study was to examine the diet quality and blood metabolites of vegetarian and omnivore adults to determine adherence to plant-based diets compared to high-quality eating patterns. The study is a cross-sectional investigation. Thirty-three participants (17 vegetarians: 3 men/14 women; 16 omnivores: 3 men/13 women) aged between 18 and 65 years were enrolled for the study. Results indicate the health biomarkers did not differ between vegetarians and omnivores matched for gender, age, and adiposity. However, when participants were regrouped by low-quality versus high-quality diets, data suggests that several common health biomarkers are more closely aligned with diet quality attributes than with plant-based diet categorisation. Authors conclude that healthcare practitioners should emphasize diet quality in their messages to their clients and discuss the importance of eating whole, minimally processed foods with less added fat and sugars.
Abstract
Although plant-based diets are promoted for healthy outcomes, these diets are not synonymous with high-quality diets. Plant-based diets can include highly processed, less healthful foods, including savory snacks, pastries, and sugary fruit drinks. This cross-sectional study examined the diet quality of vegetarian and omnivorous adults, matched for gender, age, and adiposity, and related diet quality to standard health biomarkers. Diet quality was assessed using the Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Participants Short Version questionnaire. Participants (17 vegetarians and 16 omnivores; 28.2 ± 8.9 years; 22.5 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were non-smokers and healthy by self-report. The median duration of adherence to the vegetarian diet was 27 months. Physical activity level and diet quality did not differ significantly between diet groups. Moreover, health biomarkers did not differ by diet groups. When participants were regrouped by low versus high diet quality, health biomarkers differed significantly between groups for fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, triglyceride (TG)/HDL ratio, and blood folate, with more favorable levels in the group with high diet quality. These data suggest that health biomarkers more closely align with diet quality attributes than with plant-based diet categorization. Thus, messaging focused on healthy diet attributes may lead to better health outcomes than the simple promotion of plant-based diets.