Atkins diet program rapidly decreases atherogenic index of plasma in trained adapted overweight men
Rennan de Oliveira Caminhotto1, Felipe Lucas Tavares da Fonseca2, Natalie Carolina de Castro1
1Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Background:
The Atkins diet program is a great example of the application of low carbohydrate diets for obesity, with the intention of weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk (CV risk). A good CV risk predictor is the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) calculated as log (TG/HDL [mmol]), which is strongly affected by serum triglycerides, which in turn is associated with the carbohydrate intake. This study determined the effect of the initial phase of Atkins diet program, consisting in 20 g/day of carbohydrate intake with positive urinary ketones measure, in AIP of 12 adult overweight trained adapted men. The AIP was calculated before and after intervention.
Results:
After 14 days, BMI and triglycerides decreased significantly, while HDL-C increased. No alterations were described in LDL plasmatic concentration. Prior to the diet, 58.3% of subjects presented high CV risk and after 14 days of the diet program only 33.3% of subjects were classified as high CV risk, while more than 66% were low CV risk. The intervention was effective in 11 of 12 participants. However, in one person the dietary intervention increased AIP index.
Conclusion:
The initial phase of Atkins diet program could significantly decrease the AIP in 11 of 12 adult overweight trained adapted men. Dietary individual responses need to be more studied.
Insights
The Atkins diet
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The Atkins diet, a low-carbohydrate intervention, is explored for its impact on obesity and cardiovascular risk.
- The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a key predictor of cardiovascular risk, influenced by triglycerides and carbohydrate intake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of the initial phase of the Atkins diet (20g carbohydrates/day) on the AIP in overweight men.
- To assess changes in cardiovascular risk factors associated with this low-carbohydrate intervention.
Main Methods:
- 12 adult overweight trained men participated in the study.
- A 14-day intervention with 20g/day carbohydrate intake and confirmed ketosis.
- AIP was measured before and after the dietary intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in Body Mass Index (BMI) and triglycerides observed.
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration remained unchanged.
- Cardiovascular risk profile improved, with a decrease in subjects classified as high CV risk from 58.3% to 33.3%.
Conclusions:
- The initial phase of the Atkins diet effectively reduced AIP in most participants (11 out of 12).
- Individual responses to low-carbohydrate diets warrant further investigation.
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