Effect of a Low-carbohydrate, High-protein Energy-restricted Diet on Weight and Body Composition Using DXA

Effect of a Low-carbohydrate, High-protein Ketogenic Diet on Weight and Body Composition: a Randomized Controlled Study

People often choose certain diets to lose weight or to change their habits or lifestyle. The Dukan diet was created in the '70s and took on importance in the last decade. It is a 4 phase diet similar to the Atkins diet. However, this diet is aggressive in its first phase because it suppresses carbohydrates, the main source of external energy being saturated low-fat protein. Studies of this diet are scarce and have been limited to describing the contribution of micronutrients. In nutritional practice, it is often assumed that a popular high-protein or low-calorie ketogenic diet could cause rapid or unfavourable changes in a patient's weight and body composition. However, the effect of these diets in the short or long term on weight and on body fat, muscle mass and other components is not clear. This means that body composition has not been the main objective when analyzing the effect of a popular diet. For this reason, the meta-analyzes focus on weight change and the absence of body composition data is a limitation of the selected studies. Changes in body composition due to a popular diet should be evaluated with techniques such as DXA. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet with energy restriction on weight and body composition using DXA. For this, a randomized controlled study will be used where a group will receive the diet protocol. The control group will have a normal diet, and only one oatmeal drink will be added (55 g of oats in 250 ml of water). The drink will contain 1.6 g of BetaG per serving according to FDA recommendations that correspond to the 50% BetaG required per day.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Weight Loss; Body Composition
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: High Protein Diet Group; Other: No High Protein Diet Group

Detailed Description

The patients (n = 60) are invited through posters and social networks to recruit a group of 40 overweight subjects (20% above their ideal weight). The protocol is explained in detail to each one, and the patient and two witnesses sign the informed consent. Subjects are assigned to one of two groups: group A: high protein diet (HPD) and group B: non-high protein diet (NHPD). The NHPD is designed according to Mexican nutrition guidelines according to sex and age.

The main anthropometric and biochemical measurements and diet monitoring are performed in the body composition laboratory of the Faculty of Sports Organization (FOD). Four technicians (nutritionists) are in charge of taking the measurements and recording the data. The principal investigators review the quality of the information and the correct completion of the records. Each file will be assigned an identification number. Other nutritionists (graduate students) will be in charge of auditing the information according to the protocol guidelines. Principal Investigators will resolve any discrepancies between technicians and graduate students to ensure data recording, deletion, or reevaluation.

Each patient is asked for a prior medical examination before entering the study. The data from the external medical practitioner are compared with those provided by the patient for the present study.

The main anthropometric variables are measured with the international ISAK methodology. The DXA equipment is calibrated daily, and the result is analyzed and analyzed by a researcher who evaluates whether the measurement is reliable.

The data is recorded in printed formats that are immediately scanned to maintain readability. Later, they are recorded in an Excel sheet with the patient's identification number. In each measurement session, the database is analyzed for abnormal, extreme or unlikely data. Two independent researchers are responsible for reviewing the database every day.

Each patient is cared for by a nutrition student who accompanies him in the basic needs, clothing and transfers to the measurement equipment. At the end of the evaluation, patients receive a complimentary meal and free transportation home.

Patients are monitored through WhatsApp to verify the presence of adverse events with the diet. Also, for any questions with the procedures. All procedures are recorded in paper and electronic form. In addition, they are given an additional number in case of medical emergency or consultation with a nutritionist.

The sample size will be limited in the first stage to 30 patients. Measurements and preliminary analysis will be obtained at 0, day four and day fifteen. The last two measurements will be taken on day 42 and until the subjects reach their ideal body weight.

In the case of missing data or defective quality record, subjects will be removed.

Regarding the statistical analysis, multiple linear regression will be used, where the groups and measurements will be compared on the different measurement days. As covariates, covariates will be incorporated as initial values, age, sex, BMI, among others, will be adjusted. Descriptive statistics will be added.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 150
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Mexico
  • N.l.
    • Monterrey, N.l., Mexico, 64460
      • Facultad de Organización Deportiva, FOD, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 33 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• individuals between the ages of 20 and 30
• who were not currently consuming any drugs or were on diet or exercise treatment.
• patients must have 120% or more of the ideal weight until a BMI of 35.

Exclusion Criteria:

• with no cardiovascular disease, kidney, intestinal or liver disease.
• cholesterol (≥ 200 mg/dL)
• high triglycerides (≥ 150mg/dL)
• glucose (≥ 126mg /dL)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: High Protein Diet Group; The high protein diet (HPD) group is instructed to follow a low carbohydrate, high protein ketogenic diet.	Other: High Protein Diet Group; The high protein diet (HPD) group is instructed to follow a low carbohydrate, high protein ketogenic diet. This diet has 4 phases, two of weight loss until reaching the ideal weight (attack and cruise) and two of maintenance (consolidation and stabilization). During the first 2 phases, it allows 100 foods (28 vegetables). The first phase lasts 3-10 days and 72 high-protein, low-fat foods are allowed. In the second phase, there are alternate days between consuming the low glycemic index vegetables plus protein and the next day with just protein. The first two phases are ad libitum. Phase 3 (consolidation) aims to avoid rebound and begins the introduction of complex carbohydrates and legumes in individual servings. In phase 4 (stabilization), the subject returns to a free diet. However, three basic rules are introduced: protein one day a week, the exercise of at least 20 min/day (optional) and consumption of 3 tablespoons of oat bran/day.
Active Comparator: No High Protein Diet Group; No high protein diet (NHPD) group received an oat beverage consisted of 55 g of oats in 250 ml of water.	Other: No High Protein Diet Group; No high protein diet (NHPD) group received an oat beverage consisted of 55 g of oats in 250 ml of water. Beverage contained 1.6 g of betaG per portion according to FDA recommendations corresponding to 50 % of betaG required per day. Weekly bags containing oat mixture were provided on day 0 and in the third week of the trial. No additional instructions about diet, exercise program or pharmacological treatment was implemented.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body fat	Body fat measurements by DXA	Baseline to three months.
Lean mass	Lean mass measurements by DXA	Baseline to three months
Weight lost	Weight lost through the various phases	Baseline to three months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body water	Body water changes measured by bioelectrical impedance	Baseline to three months
Resting energy expenditure	Energy expenditure measure by calorimetry.	Baseline to three months
Caloric and macronutrient intake	Energy and macronutrient distribution intake. To estimate the nutrient intake is used as a weighted dietary record. Each individual weighs the items on a scale before and after consumption by three consecutive days. Scales has a precision of 1 g. The persons record all the food and beverages consumed, including ingredients, preparation method, and quantity of the food consumed and not consumed. We proportionate all the instruction and description for the individual before assigning the task to record. This procedure ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information provided. Records are processed with the software DietOrganizer (R) to obtain caloric and macronutrient intake.	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting triglycerides	Serum fasting triglicerides are taken after 9 to 12 h, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting glucose	Serum fasting glucose is taken after 9 to 12 h, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting total cholesterol	Serum total cholesterol is taken after 9 to 12 h, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting HDL cholesterol	Serum total cholesterol is taken after 9 to 12 h, milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting albumin	Serum total cholesterol is taken after 9 to 12 h, grams per deciliter (g/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting total protein	Serum total cholesterol is taken after 9 to 12 h, grams per deciliter (g/dL).	Baseline to three months
Serum fasting total hemoglobin	Serum total cholesterol is taken after 9 to 12 h, grams per deciliter (g/dL).	Baseline to three months
hand strenght with a dynamometer	Hand strength is measured with a standardized protocol using a chair. A digital dynamometer is employed, and units are expressed as kg.	Baseline to three months
triceps skinfold with a plicometer	triceps skinfold is measured with a plicometer and the units are expresed as mm	Baseline to three months
waist perimeter	waist perimeter is measured with a measuring tape and units are expresed as cm	Baseline to three months
mid-arm perimeter	mid arm perimeter is measured with a measuring tape and units are expresed as cm	Baseline to three months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Erik Ramirez Lopez

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Anton SD, Hida A, Heekin K, Sowalsky K, Karabetian C, Mutchie H, Leeuwenburgh C, Manini TM, Barnett TE. Effects of Popular Diets without Specific Calorie Targets on Weight Loss Outcomes: Systematic Review of Findings from Clinical Trials. Nutrients. 2017 Jul 31;9(8):822. doi: 10.3390/nu9080822.
• Atallah R, Filion KB, Wakil SM, Genest J, Joseph L, Poirier P, Rinfret S, Schiffrin EL, Eisenberg MJ. Long-term effects of 4 popular diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2014 Nov;7(6):815-27. doi: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.113.000723. Epub 2014 Nov 11.
• Seid H, Rosenbaum M. Low Carbohydrate and Low-Fat Diets: What We Don't Know and Why we Should Know It. Nutrients. 2019 Nov 12;11(11):2749. doi: 10.3390/nu11112749.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 13, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 9, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): July 30, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 23, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): November 30, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 19, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 12, 2023
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight Changes; Weight Loss; Body Weight
• Other Study ID Numbers: erik2020DUKAN; REPRIN-FOD-76 (Other Identifier: Assigned by the Faculty of Sports Organization)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No