Effect of the Mediterranean diet with and without weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors in men with the metabolic syndrome

Richard, C.; Couture, P.; Desroches, S.; Charest, A.; Lamarche, B.

doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2010.01.012

« Previous Next »Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases
Volume 21, Issue 9 , Pages 628-635, September 2011

Effect of the Mediterranean diet with and without weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors in men with the metabolic syndrome

C. Richard
- Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, 2440, boul. Hochelaga, Québec (Qc), Canada G1V 0A6
P. Couture
- Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, 2440, boul. Hochelaga, Québec (Qc), Canada G1V 0A6
- Lipid Research Center, CHUQ Research Center, Quebec, Canada
S. Desroches
- Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, 2440, boul. Hochelaga, Québec (Qc), Canada G1V 0A6
A. Charest
- Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, 2440, boul. Hochelaga, Québec (Qc), Canada G1V 0A6
B. Lamarche
- Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, 2440, boul. Hochelaga, Québec (Qc), Canada G1V 0A6
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 418 656 2131x4355; fax: +1 418 656 5877.

Received 2 October 2009; received in revised form 18 January 2010; accepted 20 January 2010. published online 31 May 2010.

Abstract

Background and aims

No study has yet examined how weight loss modifies the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on cardiovascular risk factors in men with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of MedDiet, with and without weight loss, to modify the cardiometabolic risk profile of male patients with MetS.

Methods and results

Twenty-six men aged between 24 and 62 years with the MetS consumed a North American control diet for 5 weeks followed by a 5-week MedDiet, both under weight-maintaining conditions. Participants then underwent a 20-week weight loss period, after which they consumed the MedDiet for five weeks under weight stable conditions. Body weight was reduced by 10.2% ± 2.9% after the weight loss period (p < 0.001). All foods were provided to participants during the weight stable phases of the study. The MedDiet in the absence of weight loss decreased total plasma cholesterol (C) (−7.1%), LDL-C (−9.3%) and the total/HDL-C ratio (−6.5%) compared to the control diet (all p < 0.04). The MedDiet combined with weight loss led to reductions in systolic blood pressure (−4.7%), diastolic blood pressure (−7.7%), triglycerides (−18.2%), ApoB (−10.7%), fasting glucose (−4.2%) and insulin (−29.9%) compared to the control diet (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: The MedDiet in the absence of weight loss leads to significant changes in plasma cholesterol concentrations but has little effects on other cardiometabolic risk factors associated with the MetS in men.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet, Metabolic syndrome, Weight loss, Plasma lipids, Lipoproteins

Acronyms: MedDiet, Mediterranean diet, MetS, Metabolic syndrome, C, cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-C, HDL-cholesterol, TG, Triglycerides, ApoB, Apolipoprotein B, CVD, Cardiovascular disease, SFA, Saturated fatty acids, TFA, trans Fatty acids, MUFA, Monounsaturated fatty acids, PUFA, Polyunsaturated fatty acids