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The efficacy of a high protein/low glycemic index diet intervention in non-obese patients with asthma

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 72, pages 511–516 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives

EFFORT Asthma study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effects of diet and exercise in non-obese, untrained patients with asthma. We here present results from a subgroup of participants in the diet and control group to assess the feasibility of a high protein and low glycemic index (GI) diet and the effects on body composition.

Subjects/methods

Of the 149 subjects who were included in the study, 76 subjects (30 males) were randomized into either a diet group (n = 38) or a control group (n = 38) and included in the present analysis. The 8 week intervention consisted of a high protein and low GI diet whilst the control group continued habitual diet.

Results

Thirty-three patients in the diet and 34 in the control group completed the study. The diet group reduced their energy intake by ~20% and had high dietary compliance. Intake of fatty fish doubled and GI was reduced by 8.4 units. The diet group reduced their weight by 2.3 ± 2.2 kg vs. 0.5 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001), fat mass by 2.2 ± 2.0 kg vs. 0.3 ± 1.6 kg (p < 0.001) and preserved lean body mass (−0.02 ± 1.1 kg). The control group had no changes in body composition.

Conclusions

The ad libitum high protein-low GI diet resulted in a greater loss of fat mass among non-obese patients with asthma. The subjects were satisfactory and highly compliant with the dietary regimen.

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Acknowledgements

First of all, we would like to express our appreciation to the patients and their families who made this study possible. The authors would also like to acknowledge the clinical dieticians Anette Vedelspang and Anja Bjoern Hansen, as well as senior laboratory technician Leif Jakobsen. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT023559).

Funding

The work was supported by grants from Bispebjerg University Hospital’s Research Foundation, TEVA Pharmaceuticals, and Chesi Pharmaceuticals.

Authors contributions

Study concept and design: NRWG, LLT, AA, and VB. Data collection: NRWG, LLT, and VB. Design of the dietary counseling sessions: NRWG and AA. Execution of the dietary counseling sessions: NRWG. Data analysis and/or interpretation: NRWG, LLT, AA, and VB. Drafted the manuscript: NRWG. All the authors have contributed in manuscript writing and/or critical revisions for important intellectual content and read and all have approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark

    Nina Rica Wium Geiker & Arne Astrup

  2. Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Louise L. Toennesen & Vibeke Backer

  3. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Arne Astrup

Authors
  1. Nina Rica Wium Geiker
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  2. Louise L. Toennesen
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  3. Arne Astrup
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  4. Vibeke Backer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nina Rica Wium Geiker.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Geiker, N.R.W., Toennesen, L.L., Astrup, A. et al. The efficacy of a high protein/low glycemic index diet intervention in non-obese patients with asthma. Eur J Clin Nutr 72, 511–516 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0092-3

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