Why the study?
Does a Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet combined with physical activity alter intramyocellular triacylglycerol accumulation compared to a low-fat diet in sedentary adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia?
Population
277 sedentary adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia, mean age 47.9, 86.4% male, mean BMI 30.6 kg/m2…
Comparison
Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet with or… vs Low-fat diet with or without moderate intense…
Design
RCT, Randomly assigned, without stratification, to one of two equally…
Follow-up
18 months
Key result
A Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet combined with physical activity significantly increased intramyocellular triacylglycerol by 56% over 18 months compared to other weight loss strategies.
Authors
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Mediterranean/low-carb diet plus activity raises IMTG during weight loss; challenges presumed link to cardiometabolic harm in obese adults.
RCT (n=277)
Single-blind (fitness instructor and MRI observers blinded)
Randomized to low-fat or Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet, then re-randomized to physical activity or no physical activity
No
Does a Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet combined with physical activity alter intramyocellular triacylglycerol accumulation compared to a low-fat diet in sedentary adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia?
Effect estimate: 0.56% absolute increase (56% relative change) (95% CI 0.21-0.91)
p-value: p=0.002
A Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet combined with physical activity significantly increases intramyocellular triacylglycerol during moderate weight loss, but this increase is not independently associated with worsened cardiometabolic risk.
Gepner et al. (2017) conducted an RCT in Abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia (n=277). Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet with physical activity vs. Low-fat diet and/or no physical activity was evaluated on Change in intramyocellular triacylglycerol (IMTG) (0.56% absolute increase (56% relative change), 95% CI 0.21-0.91, p=0.002). A Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet combined with physical activity significantly increased intramyocellular triacylglycerol by 56% over 18 months compared to other weight loss strategies.