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Prolonged adaptation to fat-rich diet and training; effects on body fat stores and insulin resistance in man

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 1118–1124 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of prolonged adaptation to training and fat- or carbohydrate-rich diet on body composition and insulin resistance.

DESIGN: Longitudinal study. Of three groups two consumed a fat-rich diet, of which one performed regular training (FAT-Train, n=17) and the other maintained normal habitual activity (Fat-Control, n=8). The third group trained and consumed a carbohydrate-rich diet (CHO-Train, n=16).

SUBJECTS: Forty-one untrained, healthy male subjects.

MEASUREMENTS: Before and after 7 weeks body composition was estimated from skinfold measurements. At rest the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was determined by the Douglas bag technique. Glycogen was determined in m vastus lateralis and concentrations of insulin and triacylglycerol in serum and glucose, fatty acid and beta-hydroxy-butyrate in plasma was measured. The insulin resistance index was calculated from fasting plasma insulin and glucose values.

RESULTS: Across the 7 weeks body weight was reduced (1.3±0.3%) in all three groups, however body fat mass was decreased only in the CHO-Train (13%) and maintained in the two FAT-groups. RER at rest was similarly decreased (5%) in the three groups. Plasma insulin tended to decrease (16%) in CHO-Train (P=0.065) and remained unchanged in the two FAT-groups. In contrast plasma glucose (4.6±0.1 mmol/l) and plasma FA (453±27 µmol/l) remained unchanged across the 7 weeks. The calculated insulin resistance index HOMA-Rmod was significantly decreased by 19% in CHO-train but remained unchanged in both of the FAT-groups, whereas the calculated insulin secretion index HOMA-ßmod was unchanged in all three groups.

CONCLUSION: In the present study we demonstrate that despite of a mild energy deficit body fat mass was maintained after prolonged adaptation to fat-rich diet both when normal physical activity was maintained and when training was performed. In contrast a significant decrease in fat mass was observed when carbohydrate-rich diet and training was combined. Furthermore we observed that the insulin resistance index was significantly decreased only when training was combined with a carbohydrate-rich diet.

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Acknowledgements

The skilled technical assistance of Irene Bech Nielsen, Nina Pluzek, Ingelise Kring, Betina Bolmgren, Winnie Tågerup and Hanne Vig Kryger is acknowledged. The study was supported by grants from the Danish National Research Foundation grant no. 504-14, the Danish Research Academy (no. 77-7711), Team Danmark and the Danish Sports Research Council (no. 94-1-09).

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  1. Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark

    JW Helge

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Helge, J. Prolonged adaptation to fat-rich diet and training; effects on body fat stores and insulin resistance in man. Int J Obes 26, 1118–1124 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802058

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