Dietary protein and glycemic index and cardiac risk factors

January 01, 0001

Dietary protein and glycemic index and cardiac risk factors

This group of European researchers examined whether diets varying in protein content and glycemic index effected cardiovascular risk factors as part of the Diet, Obesity, and Genes study (DiOGenes). This was a pan-European controlled dietary intervention study in overweight adults (n=932) who were put on an 8-week low-calorie diet for weight loss and were then randomized to 1 of 5 diets for 26 weeks. The diets were ad libitum and were either high or low protein or high or low glycemic index carbohydrates in 4 combinations, plus control

The researchers found: "Weight loss (-11.23 kg) reduced high- sensitivity C-reactive protein (-1.15 mg/L), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. During the 26-week weight maintenance period in the intention-to-treat analysis, the further decrease of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein blood levels was -0.46 mg/L greater in the groups assigned to low-glycemic-index diets than in those on high-glycemic-index diets. Groups on low-protein diets achieved a -0.25 mg/L greater reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein than those on high- protein diets, whereas lipid profiles and blood pressure were not differently affected."

The researchers concluded: "This large-scale intervention study clearly separates weight loss from dietary composition-related effects. Low- glycemic-index carbohydrates and, to a lesser extent, low-protein intake may specifically reduce low-grade inflammation and associated comorbidities in overweight/obese adults."

Low-glycemic-index diets and low-protein diets reduce C- reactive protein levels, but weight loss itself appears to most relevant to managing cardiac risk factors.

For the full abstract, click here.

Circulation published ahead of print, 21 November 2011 © 2011 American Heart Association, Inc.
Effects of Weight Loss and Long-Term Weight Maintenance With Diets Varying in Protein and Glycemic Index on Cardiovascular Risk Factors The Diet, Obesity, and Genes (DiOGenes) Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Özlem Gögebakan, Angela Kohl, Martin A. Osterhoff, et al. Correspondence to Andreas F.H. Pfeiffer: Andreas.Pfeiffer@charite.de

Category: K. Circulatory, T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional. Keywords: protein, glycemic-index, diet, c-reactive protein, lipid profile, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 6 December 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.