Background High protein, low carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins’ diet, have gained popularity in recent years as weight loss strategies. However, high amounts of animal protein and its associated saturated fat, in the absence of weight loss, may result in undesirable effects on the lipid profile and increase coronary heart disease risk. Objective To determine if exchange of saturated fat and animal protein for monounsaturated fat and vegetable protein, mainly from soy, will result in a significant effect on blood lipids while still encouraging weight loss. Method Thirty overweight hyperlipidemic subjects will each undergo 1 of 2 interventions for 1 month: a diet high in vegetable proteins and vegetable fats (26% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 44% fat) or a diet very low in saturated fat, based on milled whole-wheat cereals and low-fat dairy foods (58% carbohydrate, 16% protein, 26% fat). Subjects will consume 70% of their estimated energy requirements and all study foods will be provided. Fasting blood lipids and glucose, blood pressure and body weight will be measured at weeks 0, 2 and 4, with body composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment. Results Twenty-five hyperlipidemic subjects have been recruited thus far. Preliminary data will be presented. Conclusion A diet where carbohydrates are exchanged for unsaturated fats, such as vegetable oils and nuts, and high animal protein for vegetable proteins, such as soy, may result in significant weight loss and significant improvements in metabolic risk factors for CHD. Research support: Solae Company
Background Dietary pulses (beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.) are a good source of viscous fibre and a valuable means for lowering the glycemic‐index (GI) of the diet. Objective To assess the effect of pulses on glycemic control, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experimental trials investigating the effect of pulses alone or in low‐GI or high‐fibre diets on indices of glycemic control. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library for relevant controlled trials of ≥7d in humans. Two independent reviewers extracted information on study design, participants, treatments, and outcomes. Generic inverse variance models were used for pooled analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed by Chi 2 and quantified by I 2 . Results Forty‐four trials were included. Pulses alone (12 trials) lowered fasting blood glucose (FBG) (standardized mean difference [SMD] ‐0.81 [95% CI ‐1.32,‐0.29]) and insulin (‐0.61[‐1.07,‐0.14]). Pulses in low‐GI‐diets (19 trials) lowered glycosylated proteins (GPs) (‐0.28[‐0.42, ‐0.14]). Pulses in high‐fibre diets (12 trials) lowered FBG (‐0.22[‐0.43,‐0.00]) and GPs (‐0.33[‐0.59,‐0.06]). Inter‐study heterogeneity was significant in all cases. Conclusions These data demonstrate that pulses alone or in low‐GI or high‐fibre diets improve markers of glycemic control in humans. Subgroup analyses are planned to explore sources of heterogeneity.
Objective: To assess whether the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy can be enhanced with an oligofructose‐enriched inulin (OF‐IN) by promoting the biotransformation of colonic soy isoflavones (i.e. equol production). Method: 23 hyperlipidemic adults (11M, 12F; 58±7y; LDL‐C, 4. 1±0.7mmol/L) completed three 4‐week phases: OF‐IN (10 g/d) and low‐fat dairy (control), and soy foods (isoflavones, 61 mg/d) with or without OF‐IN (10 g/d). Fasting blood lipids and anthropometrics were measured biweekly. Urine (24h) was collected at baseline and at the end of each phase. Results: A stepwise reduction in TChol:HDL‐C was observed for OF‐IN (0.25±0.13, P=0.08), soy (–0.07±0.08, P=0.41) and soy plus OF‐IN (–0.36±0.14, P=0.02), compared to baseline. Preliminary analysis suggested that this effect was seen most clearly in equol producers (n=7). TChol:HDL‐C for equol producers was 0.09±0.16 on OF‐IN, –0.23±0.14 on soy, and –0.72±0.42 on soy plus OF‐IN, compared to baseline. For non‐equol producers, TChol:HDL‐C was 0.41±0.17, 0.04±0.09, and –0.17±0.08, respectively. Conclusion: Intake of soy in conjunction with OF‐IN resulted in greater improvements in the lipid profile than their intake alone, suggesting a synergistic effect. This association was more prominent in equol producers possibly related to increased biotransformation of soy isoflavones. Funding: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, ORAFTI Group
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