High-Protein, Intermittent-Fasting Intervention is Effective in Weight Loss and Improving Arterial Function in Obese Adults

Abstract

Weight loss (WL) interventions have been shown to benefit fat mass loss. However, adverse cardiovascular complications may be associated with WL. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a high-protein, intermittent-fasting, low-calorie (HP-IF-LC) diet on blood lipids and arterial function during WL and weight-loss maintenance (WL-M). METHODS: Forty obese men (n = 21) and women (n = 19) participated in this study. This experiment was split into two consecutive phases: (a) 12-week HP-IF-LC diet (WL, Phase 1); (b) a 1-year WL maintenance comparing HP-IF with a heart healthy (HH) diet (WL-M, Phase 2). We assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, circulating lipids, and arterial function at baseline (week 0), post-Phase 1 (week 12), post-Phase 2 (week 64). Two way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine the main effects and Post hoc test was performed if there was an interaction. RESULTS: Body composition, arterial function, blood lipids were all significantly improved following 12-week WL phase (BMI: 37.5 ± 0.9 vs. 33.7 ± 0.8 kg/m2; waist circumference: 116.3 ± 2.3 vs. 100.8 ± 2.0 cm, p < 0.001); (LDL: 145.9 ± 11.5 vs. 96.6 ± 7.0 mg/dL; total cholesterol: 116.9 ± 4.6 vs. 102.7 ± 4.2 mg/dL, p < 0.01); (HR: 64.9 ± 1.6 vs. 60.4 ± 1.5 bpm, p < 0.01; systolic BP: 125.2 ± 1.7 vs. 116.1 ± 1.8 mmHg; diastolic BP: 79.5 ± 1.8 vs. 70.3 ± 1.2 mmHg, p < 0.001), respectively. For Phase 2, HP-IF diet group showed less weight gain relapse and enhanced arterial function compared to the HH diet. CONCLUSION: A 12 week HP-IF-LC WL diet effectively improved body composition, lipid profile, and arterial function in obese men and women. Furthermore, HP-IF diet demonstrated an advantage in minimizing weight relapse and improvement of cardiovascular health compared to HH diet during 1 year WL-M.Funding was provided to PJA from Isagenix International LLC (#1307-347)