title: A Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet improves variables of metabolic syndrome in women, and addition of a phytochemical-rich medical food enhances benefits on lipoprotein metabolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has highlighted the need for effective dietary interventions to combat this growing problem.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of a Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet (control arm, n = 44) or the same diet plus a medical food containing phytosterols, soy protein, and extracts from hops and acacia (intervention arm, n = 45) on cardiometabolic risk variables in women with MetS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 12-week, 2-arm randomized trial, baseline, week 8 and 12, fasting blood samples were drawn to measure plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and homocysteine. Dietary records were also collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were decreases in fat and sugar intake (P < .001 for both) and increases in docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intake (P < .001 for both) over time, consistent with the prescribed diet. Regarding MetS variables, there were decreases in waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and plasma triglycerides in all subjects (P < .001 for all) with no differences between arms. Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B, and apo B/apo A1 were reduced over time but to a greater extent in the intervention arm (P < .05 for all), indicating the medical food had a greater effect in altering lipoprotein metabolism. Further, medical food intake was associated with reduced plasma homocysteine (P < .01) compared to the control arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet effectively reduces the variables of MetS. Addition of the medical food results in a less atherogenic lipoprotein profile and lower plasma homocysteine.
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Jones
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. Electronic address: maria-luz.fernandez@uconn.edu.
authors: Maria Luz
authors: ML
authors: Fernandez
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors: Mark S
authors: MS
authors: McIntosh
authors: Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors: Wadie
authors: W
authors: Najm
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Mariana C
authors: MC
authors: Calle
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Kalynych
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Vukich
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Barona
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Ackermann
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Jung Eun
authors: JE
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors: Vivek
authors: V
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Lott
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors: Jeff S
authors: JS
authors: Volek
authors: Metagenics Inc., Gig Harbor, WA, USA.
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Lerman