Effects of the Mediterranean diet on the metabolic syndrome in men and women

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of a 4‐week eucaloric controlled nutritional intervention based on the traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men and women.MethodsParticipants were 37 men and 32 premenopausal women who had a slightly elevated plasma LDL‐cholesterol concentration (between 3.4 and 4.9 mM) and at least one factor of the MetS. During the intervention, all foods and drinks concordant with the MedDiet were provided to participants. The MetS was assessed before and after the controlled intervention as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.ResultsAt baseline, 43.2% of men and 37.5% of women had the MetS. The prevalence of the MetS was reduced by 13.5% in men and was increased by 3.1% in women (men vs women, P=0.14). The reversion of the MetS was 3.5 times greater in men than in women, however this odds ratio was not significant (95% confidence interval, 0.67–18.24). No significant change was observed in the number of criteria of the MetS in women (P=1.00) whereas a trend was noted in men (P=0.08).ConclusionA 4‐week controlled nutritional intervention based on the MedDiet does not lead to significant changes in the MetS in women, although men tend to have beneficial effects in response to this intervention.Supported by CIHR and HSFQ