The Acute Effects of Caloric Restriction on Anthropometrics, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Health in Overweight Adults

Evaluating the Short-Term Effects of 3 Days of Caloric Restriction/Intermittent Fasting Using the Plexus(R) Program on Anthropometrics, Metabolism, Markers of Cardiovascular Health in Overweight/Obese Men and Women

The purpose of this study is to document the efficacy of a 3 day intermittent fasting/caloric restriction (IF/CR) using the Plexus® 3 day reset program on body weight as well as regulatory parameters of metabolism and metabolic flexibility. This study will provide data on the acute efficacy regarding the program but also identify the potential underlying physiological mechanisms through which the dietary intervention may elicit improvements, and the participant experience of the program. Collectively, this will provide a window into the possible adaptations with a longer-term dietary intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity; Overweight; Intermittent Fasting
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: 3 day caloric restriction/metabolic reset

Detailed Description

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, more than 42% of adults are classified as obese, and approximately 74% of US adults are classified as overweight (body mass index of 25.0 to < 30 kg/m2) or obese (>30 kg/m2) (Ow/Ob). The costs on human health are profound, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and ultimately increasing morbidity associated with these chronic diseases. Obesity and the negative sequelae inflict staggering economic costs, estimated at $147 billion, and that was in 2008. Therefore, understanding and developing interventions that can help address Ow/Ob can reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce healthcare costs, and likely improve quality of life.

One such intervention has been through altering diet and/or physical activity. However, prior systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that when comparing diet alone vs. exercise alone, dietary interventions result in ~3-fold greater weight loss (11 vs 3 Δkg). While the additional benefits of exercise are not be discounted, engaging dietary approaches can be a highly effective way to promote weight loss. Caloric restriction (CR) has long been touted as an effective method of inducing weight loss, although there are also issues with adherence and maintenance with such an approach. This study is seeking to understand the acute metabolic changes with engaging in a 3-day caloric restriction, which would typically be part of an intermittent fasting dietary regimen.

Specific Aim 1. Document the efficacy of the 3 day IF/CR on inducing short term weight loss, the nature of the weight loss changes (body composition), changes in anthropometrics (waist and hip circumference), changes in resting metabolic rate and changes in metabolic flexibility (relative utilization of fats versus carbohydrates).

Specific Aim 2. Explore the physiological responses to the 3 day IF/CR with the Plexus 3 day reset program through analysis of blood plasma for levels of insulin, glucose, lipid profile (total cholesterol, high- and low-density cholesterol (HDL/LDL)), pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, TNFa and Cortisol, respectively), ketones, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and hormones related to hunger and satiety and thus energy intake (protein YY (PYY), neuropeptide Y (NPY), Ghrelin, and Leptin).

Specific Aim 3. Ascertain any possible changes in clinically relevant parameters such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (central and peripheral), and vascular stiffness (augmentation index, AIx).

Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that the nutritional intervention will induce weight loss, changes in anthropometrics/body composition (i.e. decreased body water), resting metabolic rate, and alterations in metabolic flexibility. These measures will be explained, at least, in part, by alterations in specific blood biomarkers. The investigators also hypothesize that the 3 day IF/CR will result in improved indicators of cardiovascular health.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 15
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • Saratoga Springs, New York, United States, 12866
      • Skidmore College

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 25 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Overweight or obese (body mass index, BMI > 27.5 kg/m2)
• Weight stable (± 4.4 lb) for > 6 months prior
• 25 to 65 years of age
• Participants will be expected to be otherwise relatively healthy without uncontrolled chronic disease (e.g. cardiovascular, metabolic, or pulmonary) and 2 or fewer positive risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc) as described by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)/American Heart Association (AHA) Criteria.
• Cleared by Physician

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who present with more than 2 CVD risk factors (AHA/ACSM criteria) or have uncontrolled/overt cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease (Diabetes Mellitus)
• Not cleared by their physician.
• Recent blood donation (<8 weeks)
• Those who have cancer or are being treated for cancer.
• Women who are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, attempting to conceive, or amenorrheic (not associated with menopause).
• Anyone who presents with food allergies to coconuts, dairy, soy, stevia, or nuts will also be excluded.
• Those with eating disorders should not partake in this study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Pre- post-dietary intervention; Single arm pre-post dietary intervention (caloric restriction)	Dietary supplement: 3 day caloric restriction/metabolic reset; Participants will consume ~500 kcal/day, using commercially available products (Plexus(r)), for 3 days, measuring physiological relevant parameters pre-and post-intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in body weight	Change in total body weight	(days 0 and 4)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in total body water	Assessed via bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)	(days 0 and 4)
Change in body fat (%)	Assessed via bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)	(days 0 and 4)
Change in lean mass (kg)	Assessed via bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)	(days 0 and 4)
Change in waist circumference	Changes in waist circumference (cm) using Gulick tape measure	(days 0 and 4)
Change in hip circumference	Changes in hip circumference (cm) using Gulick tape measure	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in waist to hip ratio	Changes in waist:hip ratio derived from waist and hip circumferences	(days 0 and 4)
Change in resting metabolic rate	Change in resting metabolic rate assessed using the ventilated hood technique and indirect calorimetry (TrueOne2400, Parvomedics).	(days 0 and 4)
Change in substrate utilization	Change in resting-fasted substrate utilization (Fat vs. Carbohydrate) using the ventilated hood technique and indirect calorimetry (TrueOne2400, Parvomedics).	(days 0 and 4)
Change peripheral blood pressure	Changes in peripheral blood pressure assessed using oscillometric cuff technique on the brachial artery (Sphygmocor Xcel).	(days 0 and 4)
Change in central blood pressure	Change in estimated central blood pressure, assessed using oscillometric cuff technique and generalized transfer function (Sphygmocor Xcel).	(days 0 and 4)
Change in augmentation index	Changes in augmentation index (a marker of vascular stiffness) will be assessed using oscillometric cuff technique and generalized transfer function (Sphygmocor Xcel).	(days 0 and 4)
Change in heart rate variability	Changes in time-domain based heart rate variability will be assessed using standard ECG with subsequent automated analysis with artifact correction (H7 PolarUSA and Elite HRV).	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in blood lipid profile	Changes in blood lipids (total Cholesterol, TC; low density lipoprotein LDL Cholesterol; high density lipoprotein, HDL Cholesterol; and TC:HDL ratio) will be assessed using standard techniques (Cholestech System)	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in blood glucose regulation	Changes in fasting blood glucose and insulin using standard techniques.	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in blood markers of inflammation	Changes in blood inflammatory markers (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) and Cortisol) using standard techniques.	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in circulating regulators of metabolism	Changes in blood levels of the metabolically active hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), protein yy (PYY), neuropeptide y (NPY), Ghrelin, and Leptin) using standard biochemical techniques.	(days 0 and 4)
Changes in perceptual indicators	Changes in self-reported sensations of hunger, fullness, satiety, and gastrointestinal discomfort will be assessed using visual analog scales (VAS). The VAS is 100 mm line ranging from 0 to 100, where a participant who marks 0 indicates "none" (not hungry at all or no gastrointestinal distress) vs. marking at 100 would indicate the maximal response ("severely hungry" or "severe gastrointestinal distress"). The hunger, fullness, and satiety ratings are not necessarily worse or better type outcomes, but simply descriptive. The magnitude is quantified by measuring the distance the participant marks on the 100mm line. In the case of gastrointestinal distress, scores over 51, or large increases in GID would be considered a less favorable outcome and the higher the score the worse the outcome on this specific item.	Days 0 through 4
Changes in sleep health	Changes in sleep quantity and quality will be assessed using the consensus sleep diary, core form. This form records times for going to sleep, falling asleep, waking during the night, waking in the morning. There is only one likert type item which ask participants to subjectively rate the quality of sleep from very poor to very good, and reports of poor or very poor sleep would be considered worse outcomes, particularly those with changes in response to the dietary outcome.	Days 0 through 4

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Skidmore College
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Stephen Ives, Ph.D., Skidmore College

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 7, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 7, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): November 17, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 17, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 13, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 13, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 11, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: intermittent fasting; caloric restriction
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Overweight
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2204-1028

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: Requests for data may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, after publication of initial findings.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No