A Healthy Asian Ketogenic Diet, Regardless of Dietary Cholesterol Intake Improves Metabolic Parameters in Individuals With Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Objectives We aimed to study the effect of an Asian ketogenic diet with increased egg consumption on anthropometries, glucose, and cholesterol homeostasis in people with metabolic syndrome. Methods We compared changes in metabolic parameters between a ketogenic diet (carbohydrate < 10% of total calories) with increased whole egg intakes (Yolk KD) or yolk-free ketogenic diet with egg white supplementation (White KD) and a balanced diet with controlled energy (C). This study included a 4-week run in phase, a 12-week intervention phase, and a follow up phase at week-36. Subjects were monitored for changes in anthropometries, biochemistries including oral glucose tolerance testing, and physical activities. Results When compared week-0 (baseline) with week-12, average body weight (Wt), waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), and blood pressure in Yolk-KD and White-KD groups significantly reduced from week-0 (P < 0.05). No difference of these parameters in C group between week-0 and week-12 was observed (ns). When comparing Yolk-KD vs. White-KD groups, there was no difference of anthropometric and metabolic changes between week-0 vs. week-12 (ns). Wt, WC, TG, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in Yolk-KD group decreased 4 kg, 3.8 cm, 14.9 mg/dl, and 7.4 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.05). Wt, WC, TG, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and DBP in White-KD group decreased 3.9 kg, 3.3 cm, 18.1 mg/dl, 3.7 mmHg, and 4.7 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.05). Fasting blood sugar and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at week-12 were not significantly different from baseline (ns). At week-36 weight reduction in Yolk-KD and White-KD groups still maintained better than that in C group (P < 0.05). The physical activity of all subjects was not change throughout study (ns). Conclusions Behavior modification through dietary changes plays a vital role in controlling metabolic syndrome. Implementation on ketogenic diet was easier than balanced diet with controlled energy. Therefore, an Asian ketogenic diet regardless of amounts of dietary cholesterol helps lose weight without negative impacts on physical and biochemical indices. Funding Sources Mahidol University.