Elsevier

The Journal of Nutrition

Volume 142, Issue 2, February 2012, Pages 369-374
The Journal of Nutrition

A Low-Glycemic Load Diet Reduces Serum C-Reactive Protein and Modestly Increases Adiponectin in Overweight and Obese Adults12341,2,3

https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.111.149807Get rights and content
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Abstract

Low-glycemic load (GL) diets improve insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in individuals with diabetes. Less is known about whether low-GL diets, independent of weight loss, improve the health profile for persons without diabetes or other preexisting conditions. We conducted a randomized, cross-over feeding study testing low- compared to High-GL diets on biomarkers of inflammation and adiposity in healthy adults. Eighty participants (n= 40 with BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2;n= 40 with BMI 28.0–40.0 kg/m2) completed two 28-d feeding periods in random order where one period was a high-GL diet (mean GL/d = 250) and the other a low-GL diet (mean GL/d = 125). Diets were isocaloric with identical macronutrient content (as percent energy). All food was provided and participants maintained weight and usual physical activity. Height, weight, and DXA were measured at study entry and weight assessed again thrice per week. Blood was drawn from fasting participants at the beginning and end of each feeding period and serum concentrations of high-sensitivity CRP, serum amyloid A, IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. Linear mixed models tested the intervention effect on the biomarkers; models were adjusted for baseline biomarker concentrations, diet sequence, feeding period, age, sex, and body fat mass. Among participants with high-body fat mass (>32.0% for males and >25.0% for females), the low-GL diet reduced CRP (P= 0.02) and marginally increased adiponectin (P= 0.06). In conclusion, carbohydrate quality, independent of energy, is important. Dietary patterns emphasizing low-GL foods may improve the inflammatory and adipokine profiles of overweight and obese individuals.

Abbreviations used:

CRP
C-reactive protein
FHCRC
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
GI
glycemic index
GL
glycemic load
hs-CRP
high-sensitivity CRP
SAA
serum amyloid A

Cited by (0)

1

Supported by grants U54 CA116847 and P30 CA015704 fromthe NIH (National Cancer Institute). Solo Bars provided by Solo GI Nutrition, Kewlona, BC, Canada.Light Agave Nectar provided by Madhava Natural Sweeteners, Longmont, CO.

2

Author disclosures: M. L. Neuhouser, Y. Schwarz, C. Wang, K. Breymeyer,G. Coronado, C-Y. Wang, K. Noar, X. Song, and J. W. Lampe, no conflicts of interest.

3

This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00622661.