Effects of carbohydrate restriction and dietary cholesterol provided by eggs on clinical risk factors in metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
There are a limited number of clinical interventions evaluating the effects of dietary cholesterol in individuals at elevated risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of whole egg intake in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).


METHODS
Men (n = 12) and women (n = 25) with MetS were instructed to follow a moderate carbohydrate-restricted diet (<30% energy) and randomly assigned to consume either three whole eggs (EGG, n = 20) or egg substitute (SUB, n = 17)/d for 12 weeks. Dietary intake, MetS parameters, and body composition were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.


RESULTS
Total carbohydrate (P < .001) intake decreased in all participants over time. The EGG group consumed more dietary cholesterol (P < .001) and choline (P < .001) than the SUB group. MetS was reduced in both groups, with improvements noted in dyslipidemia and decreases in waist circumference (P < .01), weight (P < .001), and percent body fat (P < .001). Reductions in plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (P < .001) and serum amyloid A (P < .05) were seen in the EGG group only. Notably, increases in dietary cholesterol were associated with reductions in plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (r = -0.340, P = .04). Plasma C-reactive protein, adiponectin, interleukin-6 interleukin-10, and cell adhesion molecules were unaffected by the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that on a moderate carbohydrate background diet, accompanied by weight loss, the inclusion of whole eggs improves inflammation to a greater extent than yolk-free egg substitute in those with MetS.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Ext, U 4017 Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Christopher N
CN
Blesso
Catherine J
CJ
Andersen
Jacqueline
J
Barona
Brittanie
B
Volk
Jeff S
JS
Volek
Maria Luz
ML
Fernandez
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
Body composition; Carbohydrate restriction; Dietary cholesterol; Eggs; Inflammation; Metabolic syndrome