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. 2013 May 27;3(5):e71.
doi: 10.1038/nutd.2013.14.

Benefit of a low-fat over high-fat diet on vascular health during alternate day fasting

M C Klempel  1 , C M Kroeger, E Norkeviciute, M Goslawski, S A Phillips, K A Varady
Affiliations

Benefit of a low-fat over high-fat diet on vascular health during alternate day fasting

M C Klempel et al. Nutr Diabetes. .

Abstract

Background: Alternate day fasting (ADF) with a low-fat (LF) diet improves brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Whether these beneficial effects can be reproduced with a high-fat (HF) diet remains unclear.

Objective: This study compared the effects of ADF-HF to ADF-LF regimens on FMD. The role that adipokines have in mediating this effect was also investigated.

Methods: Thirty-two obese subjects were randomized to an ADF-HF (45% fat) or ADF-LF diet (25% fat), consisting of two phases: (1) a 2-week baseline weight maintenance period and (2) an 8-week ADF weight loss period. Food was provided throughout the study.

Results: Body weight was reduced (P<0.0001) in the ADF-HF (4.4±1.0 kg) and ADF-LF group (3.7±0.7 kg). FMD decreased (P<0.05) by ADF-HF relative to baseline (7±1 to 5±2%) and increased (P<0.05) by ADF-LF (5±1 to 7±2%). Blood pressure remained unchanged in both groups. Adiponectin increased (P<0.05) in the ADF-HF (43±7%) and ADF-LF group (51±7%). Leptin and resistin decreased (P<0.05) in the ADF-HF (32±5%; 23±5%) and ADF-LF group (30±3%; 27±4%). Increases in adiponectin were associated with augmented FMD in the ADF-LF group only (r=0.34, P=0.03).

Conclusion: Thus, improvements in FMD with ADF may only occur with LF diets and not with HF diets, and adipokines may not have a significant role in mediating this effect.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Body weight and composition changes during the weight loss period. Values reported as mean±s.e.m. ADF-HF, n=15; ADF-LF, n=17. BW, body weight; FM, fat mass; FFM, fat-free mass. *Week 8 values significantly different (P<0.0001) from baseline values (paired t-test). No differences between groups at any time point (independent samples t-test).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Plasma adipokines during the weight loss period. Values reported as mean ±s.e.m. ADF-HF, n=15; ADF-LF, n=17. *Week 8 values significantly different (P<0.05) from baseline values (paired t-test). No differences between groups at any time point (independent samples t-test).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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