IntroductionMetabolic syndrome (MetS) has been recognized as one of the most important clinical challenges and global health issues of today. Growing evidence suggests that mechanisms of energy metabolism may also play a key role in mediating aspects of cognitive function. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one such factor well known for its critical role in neuronal plasticity, including memory and learning, and more recently metabolic processes. BDNF levels have been shown separately to be dependent on diet and exercise programming.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diet and exercise on BDNF levels and cognitive functioning with any metabolic association in individuals characterized with MetS.MethodsTwelve subjects with MetS followed a randomized crossover design with two four-week interventions, including a carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted Paleolithic-based diet (CRPD; <50gCHO) with sedentary activity (CRPD-Sed) and CRPD with high intensity interval training (HIIT; CRPD-Sed), separated by a four-week washout period. The HIIT exercise consisted of 10 x 60 s cycling intervals interspersed with 60 s of active recovery 3 day/week for four-week. Serum BDNF was detected and quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cognitive executive function (Stroop Test) and self-perceived cognitive symptoms and function (MOS-CFS) were quantified. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed with post-hoc analysis using simple effects analysis with a Bonferroni adjustment. The level of statistical significance was established a priori as P < 0.05.ResultsCompared to baseline, CRPD-Sed and CRPD-Ex improved variables for cognitive function, including increased peripheral serum BDNF levels (20% and 38%), psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility (-14%, -14%), and self-perceived cognitive symptoms and functioning (+8%, +16%), respectively. BDNF inversely correlated with %body fat (r = -0.35, P < 0.05), fasting glucose (r = -0.64, P < 0.05), triglycerides (r = -0.55, P < 0.05), and insulin sensitivity (r = -0.25, P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study shows the short-term beneficial effects of carbohydrate-restricted diet on serum BDNF and executive function in those individuals characterized with MetS. We have shown that the addition of exercise can further improve neuroprotection and cognitive function beyond the results of diet alone.

IntroductionOne approach to slow the pandemic of obesity and chronic disease is to look to our evolutionary past for clues of the changing behaviors contributing to the emergence of 'diseases of civilization'. Modern humans have deviated from the lifestyle behaviors of our ancestors that have introduced pressures (i.e. diet and activity changes) quicker than our genetic ability to respond. This caused a 'mismatch' between our biological systems and environment, leading to 'man-made' chronic diseases.PurposeThe purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a short-term evolutionarily informed dietary and lifestyle intervention on inflammatory and cardio-metabolic profiles in individuals characterized as having metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsTwelve subjects with MetS followed a crossover design with two, four-week interventions, including a carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted Paleolithic-based diet (CRPD; <50g CHO) with sedentary activity (CRPD-Sed) and CRPD with high-intensity interval training (CRPD-Ex), separated by a four-week washout period. The HIIT exercise consisted of 10 X 60 seconds (s) cycling intervals interspersed with 60s of active recovery three d/wk for four weeks. The effects of a diet with sedentary activity as compared to a diet with exercise on body composition, as well as the cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic profiles, were assessed. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was performed with a post-hoc analysis using a simple effects analysis with a Bonferroni adjustment. The level of statistical significance was established a priori as p < 0.05.ResultsCompared to baselines, CRPD-Sed and CRPD-Ex improved cardio-metabolic markers, including reductions in waist adiposity (-15%, -18%), body mass (-3%, -5%), body fat % (BF%; -7%, -12%), fasting plasma glucose (GLU; -20%, -27%), triglycerides (TG; -47%, -52%), fasting insulin (-34%, -39%), insulin resistance (-35%, -46%), and increased HDL-C (+22%, +36%) and VO2max (+22% and +29%), respectively. CRPD-Sed and CRPD-Ex also reduced inflammatory markers, including hsCRP (-32% and-36%), TNF-alpha (-35% and -41%), IL-6 (-29% and -40%), and ICAM-1 (-19%, -23%), respectively, when compared to baseline.ConclusionAdopting behaviors from our evolutionary past, including diet and exercise, shows favorable cardio-metabolic and inflammatory profiles in those individuals characterized with MetS.

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