Micronutrient intake in overweight subjects is not deficient on an ad libitum fat-reduced, high-simple carbohydrate...

To investigate whether subjects consuming a fat-reduced, high-simple carbohydrate diet (SCHO) are at greater risk of micronutrient inadequacy than subjects consuming a fat-reduced, high-complex carbohydrate (CCHO) or a normal-fat diet (control, CD).

A 6-month randomised controlled dietary intervention trial with a parallel design.

In total, 46 overweight (BMI: 24.4-36.3 kg/m(2)) subjects (19 males, 27 females) aged 21-54 y consumed one of three ad libitum diets: SCHO, CCHO, or CD. Nutrient intake was assessed by a 7-day weighed food record.

Self-reported energy intake did not differ between diet groups. The lowest intake of vitamin B(12) was found in the SCHO group vs CCHO (P=0.025) and vs. CD (P=0.012). In men, zinc intake was lower on the SCHO diet compared to the CD diet (P=0.018). The recommendations for zinc and vitamin B(12) were, however, met by all the diet groups. No other diet differences were observed. Intake of several micronutrients were insufficient in all three diet groups, although in most cases comparable to average Danish intakes.

Zinc intake in men and vitamin B(12) intake in the combined gender groups were lower on a fat-reduced, simple carbohydrate-rich diet compared to a habitual, normal-fat diet, but not below recommended levels.