Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00640783

Mediterranean Diet and the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome has been identified as a target for dietary therapies to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the role of diet in the etiology of the metabolic syndrome is poorly understood. To assess the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on endothelial function and vascular inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome

Randomized, single-blind trial conducted from June 2001 to January 2004 at a university hospital in Italy among 180 patients (99 men and 81 women) with the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III.

Patients in the intervention group (n = 90) were instructed to follow a Mediterranean-style diet and received detailed advice about how to increase daily consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil; patients in the control group (n = 90) followed a prudent diet (carbohydrates, 50%-60%; proteins, 15%-20%; total fat, <30%).

After 2 years, patients following the Mediterranean-style diet consumed more foods rich in monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and fiber and had a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Total fruit, vegetable, and nuts intake (274 g/d), whole grain intake (103 g/d), and olive oil consumption (8 g/d) were also significantly higher in the intervention group (P<.001). The level of physical activity increased in both groups by approximately 60%, without difference between groups. Mean body weight decreased more in patients in the intervention group (-4.0 kg) than in those in the control group (-1.2 kg) (P<.001). Compared with patients consuming the control diet, patients consuming the intervention diet had significantly reduced serum concentrations of hs-CRP (P = .01), IL-6 (P = .04), IL-7 (P = 0.4), and IL-18 (P = 0.3), as well as decreased insulin resistance (P<.001). Endothelial function score improved in the intervention group but remained stable in the control group. At 2 years of follow-up, 40 patients in the intervention group still had features of the metabolic syndrome, compared with 78 patients in the control group (P<.001).

A Mediterranean-style diet might be effective in reducing the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiovascular risk.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Metabolic Syndrome Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperinsulinism Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

25 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases

Naples, 80138, Italy

About this study

Patients consuming the intervention diet were given detailed advice about the usefulness of the experimental diet. Through a series of monthly small-group sessions, intervention patients received education in reducing dietary calories (if needed), personal goal-setting, and self-monitoring using food diaries. Behavioral and psychological counseling was also offered. The dietary advice was tailored to each patient on the basis of 3-day food records. The recommended composition of the dietary regimen was as follows: carbohydrates, 50% to 60%; proteins, 15% to 20%; total fat, less than 30%; saturated fat, less than 10%; and cholesterol consumption, less than 300 mg per day. Moreover, patients were advised to consume at least 250 to 300 g of fruits, 125 to 150 g of vegetables, and 25 to 50 g of walnuts per day; in addition, they were also encouraged to consume 400 g of whole grains (legumes, rice, maize, and wheat) daily and to increase their consumption of olive oil. Patients were in the program for 24 months and had monthly sessions with the nutritionist for the first year and bimonthly sessions for the second year. Compliance with the program was assessed by attendance at the meetings and completion of the diet diaries.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • To be enrolled in the study, patients had to have 3 or more of the following criteria to meet the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients were excluded if they had cardiovascular disease, psychiatric problems, a history of alcohol abuse (alcohol consumption 500 g/wk in the last year), if they smoked, or if they took any medication.

Treatment and study plan

Mediterranean Diet

Behavioral

The dietary advice was tailored to each patient on the basis of 3-day food records. The recommended composition of the dietary regimen was as follows: carbohydrates, 50% to 60%; proteins, 15% to 20%; total fat, less than 30%; saturated fat, less than 10%; and cholesterol consumption, less than 300 mg per day. Moreover, patients were advised to consume at least 250 to 300 g of fruits, 125 to 150 g of vegetables, and 25 to 50 g of walnuts per day; in addition, they were also encouraged to consume 400 g of whole grains (legumes, rice, maize, and wheat) daily and to increase their consumption of olive oil.

Control

Behavioral

Patients consuming the control diet were given general oral and written information about healthy food choices at baseline and at subsequent visits but were offered no specific individualized program. However, the general recommendation for macronutrient composition of the diet was similar to that for the intervention group (carbohydrates, 50%-60%; proteins, 15%-20%; and total fat, <30%).

Primary outcomes

  1. Endothelial function and vascular inflammatory markers

    Time frame: 2 years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Resolution of metabolic syndrome

    Time frame: 2 years

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a Mediterranean-Style Diet on Endothelial Dysfunction and Markers of Vascular Inflammation in the Metabolic Syndrome

Important dates

Study start
2001
Primary completion
2003
Study completion
2004
First posted
Mar 21, 2008
Registry last updated
Mar 21, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.