EFFECTS OF A DIET HIGH IN MUFA AND A MEDITERRANEAN DIET ON SERUM METABOLIC PROFILE: A RANDOMIZED FULLY CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

We studied the effects of partly replacing saturated fatty acids (SFA) by monounsaturated FA (MUFA) in a Western-type diet and the effects of a full Mediterranean (MED) diet high in MUFA on serum metabolic measurements in overweight subjects or such with abdominal obesity. In total, 60 subjects, both men and women, were allocated to an eight-week completely controlled SFA-rich diet, a MUFA-rich diet, or a MED diet. Serum metabolic profiles were assessed by using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based platform providing information on lipids, lipoprotein subclasses, and low-molecular-weight metabolites, resulting in 162 measurements. Serum metabolic profiles were measured in 47 subjects. Compared to the SFA diet, 32 metabolites were affected upon consumption of the MUFA diet, and 52 were affected upon consumption of the MED diet. Both the MUFA and MED diet decreased all subclasses of LDL, and the MED diet additionally decreased the larger subclasses of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Within the MUFA and MED diet groups the smaller VLDL subclasses and all low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subclasses were decreased, the MED diet additionally decreased the larger subclasses of VLDL, and increased several subclasses of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Within the SFA diet group no effects were found on lipoprotein subclasses. Lastly, the exposure markers CLA, CLA.FA, DHA, and Faw3.FA were important metabolites for the discrimination between the three diets. A decrease in subclasses of LDL and VLDL, and an increase in subclasses of HDL have been associated with a decrease in future cardiovascular events. Therefore, replacing SFA with MUFA has positive health effects, and the consumption of a MED diet has additional positive health effects, which might be partly explained by the higher fish intake. Comprehensive metabolic profiling in this fully controlled trial elucidated part of the metabolic influences of replacing SFA by MUFA, and the additional effect of a full MED diet. Acknowledgements : JPI-HDHL