LOW-CHO & HIGH-CHO, HIGH-FIBER DIETS & RISK MARKERS FOR THE METABOLIC SYNDROME

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The objective of this study is to compare a low-carbohydrate diet with high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet-with no emphasis on calorie restriction--with regard to insulin sensitivity and blood markers for cardiovascular disease risk in men and women with the metabolic syndrome. In a randomized crossover design, men and women with the metabolic syndrome (i.e., a metabolic condition associated with increased risk for diabetes and heart disease) will consume each of two diets: a low-carbohydrate diet (15-20% carbohydrate; 55-60% fat; 25-30 protein) and a high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet (55-60% carbohydrate; 20-25% fat; 15-20% protein; > 30 grams fiber per day). Each diet period will last 4 weeks, with a 4-6 week wash-out period. All meals will be prepared in the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) kitchen for pick-up three days per week by the participants, and will contain more than enough calories to meet daily energy needs. Participants will be instructed to eat only until no longer hungry, and to return uneaten food to the GCRC. We hypothesize that that the high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet will significantly improve insulin sensitivity and enhance cardiovascular health, and the low-carbohydrate diet will not. Outcome measures include blood levels of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and several markers of inflammation, as well as an ultrasound procedure to examine endothelial function of a forearm artery.