A diet based on multiple functional concepts improves cardiometabolic risk parameters in healthy subjects

Background: Different foods can modulate cardiometabolic risk factors in persons already affected by metabolic alterations. The objective of this study was to assess, in healthy overweight individuals, the impact of a diet combining multiple functional concepts on risk markers associated with cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). Methods: Fourty-four healthy women and men (50-73 y.o, BMI 25-33, fasting glycemia <= 6.1 mmol/L) participated in a randomized crossover intervention comparing a multifunctional (active) diet (AD) with a control diet (CD) devoid of the active components. Each diet was consumed during 4 wk with a 4 wk washout period. AD included the following functional concepts: low glycemic impact meals, antioxidant-rich foods, oily fish as source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, viscous dietary fibers, soybean and whole barley kernel products, almonds, stanols and a probiotic strain (Lactobacillus plantarum Heal19/DSM15313). Results: Although the aim was to improve metabolic markers without promoting body weight loss, minor weight reductions were observed with both diets (0.9-1.8 +/- 0.2%; P < 0.05). CD did not modify the metabolic variables measured. AD promoted significant changes in total serum cholesterol (-26 +/- 1% vs baseline; P < 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (-34 +/- 1%; P < 0.0001), triglycerides (-19 +/- 3%; P = 0.0056), LDL/HDL (-27 +/- 2%; P < 0.0001), apoB/apoA1 (-10 +/- 2%; P < 0.0001), HbA1c (-2 +/- 0.4%; P = 0.0013), hs-CRP (-29 +/- 9%; P = 0.0497) and systolic blood pressure (-8 +/- 1%, P = 0.0123). The differences remained significant after adjustment for weight change. After AD, the Framingham cardiovascular risk estimate was 30 +/- 4% (P < 0.0001) lower and the Reynolds cardiovascular risk score, which considers CRP values, decreased by 35 +/- 3% (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The improved biomarker levels recorded in healthy individuals following the multifunctional regime suggest preventive potential of this dietary approach against CMD.