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Replacement Diet to Lower Elevated Triglycerides in Obese Adults

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition shows that the replacement of refined carbohydrates with a combination of Egg protein and unsaturated fats increases insulin sensitivity and lowers triglycerides in obese adults with elevated triglyceride levels.

Hypertriglyceridemia, defined as a fasting plasma Triglyceride (TG) concentration of more than 150 mg/dL, is a common condition in the United States. An increase in serum triglycerides is caused by weight gain, lack of exercise, and a diet rich in simple or refined carbohydrates. Elevated TG levels contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and are often associated with other risk factors such as obesity, metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and an altered lipid profile. Lipoprotein lipid profile disturbances associated with an elevated TG level include low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL particle (HDL-P), and a predominance of small dense Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LDL particle (LDL-P). This cluster of disturbances is referred to as the lipid triad.

Management of hypertriglyceridemia includes counselling for lifestyle changes, such as weight control, dietary changes, and exercise. Evidence from previous studies shows that a diet high in refined starches and added sugars, with a high glycemic load, worsens the disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism, such as insulin resistance and the lipid triad. Therefore, dietary changes have an important influence on metabolic abnormalities associated with hypertriglyceridemia.

A recent randomized, double-blinded, controlled feeding crossover study by Kevin C Maki and colleagues published in the Journal of Nutrition evaluated the effects of the substitution of refined starches and added sugars with a combination of egg protein (EPRO) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) on insulin sensitivity, triglyceride levels, and other cardiometabolic health markers. Twenty-five overweight men and women, 21-70 years of age with elevated TG concentrations of 150-499 mg/dL were recruited. The subjects were given a 3-week standardized diet consisting of test foods that provided approximately 8% more protein energy (from EPRO) and 8% more fat energy (from UFA), or test foods with approximately 16% more energy from refined starches and added sugars (refined-carbohydrate condition). The Matsuda Insulin Sensitivity Index (MISI), fasting lipid profile, and other cardiometabolic health markers were determined at baseline and at the end of each diet condition.

The results showed an increase in MISI from baseline in the EPRO/UFA condition (18.1% + 8.7%) compared with a decrease from baseline during the refined-carbohydrate condition (5.7% + 6.2%). The EPRO/UFA condition resulted in a greater reduction in TGs and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (18.5% and 18.6% respectively) than during the refined-carbohydrate condition (2.5% and 3.6% respectively). Reductions from baseline in total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were observed for both diets. However, within the refined carbohydrate condition, significant reductions were observed in non-HDL, LDL, and HDL particle concentrations. LDL peak particle size increased by 0.12 nm with EPRO and UFA compared with a decrease of 0.15 nm with the refined carbohydrate diet. In addition, the disposition index (a marker of islet ß cell function) increased 23.8% + 20.8% during the EPRO and UFA condition compared with a decrease of 16.3% + 18.8% during the refined-carbohydrate condition.

The results, like the previous study, suggest that changing the macronutrient composition of the diet can alter the cardiometabolic risk factor profile. The results of this study also show that the EPRO/UFA condition reduced TD and VLDL cholesterol concentrations and increased LDL particle size compared with the refined-carbohydrate condition, indicating improved cardiovascular health. In addition, low sugar intake in the EPRO/UFA diet contributed to the increase observed in MISI and the disposition index.

The strength of this study is the fully controlled feeding design, minimizing the potential for confounding dietary changes. The limitations include the lack of adjustment made for secondary outcome variables and a relatively short 3-week period of intervention.

The results from this trial clearly indicate that the replacement of refined carbohydrates with EPRO and UFA increased insulin sensitivity, and LDL peak particle size, and lowered fasting TG and VLDL cholesterol concentrations in men and women with an elevated TG concentration. These results are in agreement with dietary guidelines that recommend a limited intake of refined starches and added sugars while increasing the intake of UFA as replacements for saturated fatty acids and refined carbohydrates.

Reference

  1. Maki KC, Palacios OM, Lindner E, Nieman KM, Bell M, Sorce J. Replacement of Refined Starches and Added Sugars with Egg Protein and Unsaturated Fats Increases Insulin Sensitivity and Lowers Triglycerides in Overweight or Obese Adults with Elevated Triglycerides. J Nutr. 2017;147(7):1267-1274. doi:10.3945/jn.117.248641
Preeti Paul MSc
Preeti Paul MSc
Preeti has a Master’s degree in Biochemistry. Her career interests include scientific services and clinical research. She is passionate about the dissemination of scientific information to the public. As a medical content writer, Preeti aims to be instrumental in shaping the transmission of scientific advances to the general public so that they can make informed decisions. In her free time, she likes to travel, cook and advocate toxin-free living.
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