Significant improvement in cardiometabolic health in healthy nonobese individuals during caloric restriction-induced weight loss and weight loss maintenance

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) triggers benefits for healthspan including decreased risk of cardiometabolic disease (CVD). In an ancillary study to CALERIE 2, a 24-mo 25% CR study, we assessed the cardiometabolic effects of CR in 53 healthy, nonobese (BMI: 22-28 kg/m) men ( n = 17) and women ( n = 36). The aim of this study was to investigate whether CR can reduce risk factors for CVD and insulin resistance in nonobese humans and, moreover, to assess whether improvements are exclusive to a period of weight loss or continue during weight maintenance. According to the energy balance method, the 25% CR intervention ( n = 34) produced 16.5 ± 1.5% (mean ± SE) and 14.8 ± 1.5% CR after 12 and 24 mo (M12, M24), resulting in significant weight loss (M12 -9 ± 0.5 kg, M24 -9 ± 0.5 kg, P < 0.001). Weight was maintained in the group that continued their habitual diet ad libitum (AL, n = 19). In comparison to AL, 24 mo of CR decreased visceral (-0.5 ± 0.01 kg, P < 0.0001) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (-1.9 ± 0.2kg, P < 0.001) as well as intramyocellular lipid content (-0.11 ± 0.05%, P = 0.031). Furthermore, CR decreased blood pressure (SBP -8 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.005; DBP -6 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (-13.6 ± 5.3 mg/dl, P = 0.001), and LDL-cholesterol (-12.9 ± 4.4 mg/dl, P = 0.005), and the 10-yr risk of CVD-disease was reduced by 30%. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased during weight loss in the CR group (-0.46 ± 0.15, P = 0.003), but this decrease was not maintained during weight maintenance (-0.11 ± 0.15, P = 0.458). In conclusion, sustained CR in healthy, nonobese individuals is beneficial in improving risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disease such as visceral adipose tissue mass, ectopic lipid accumulation, blood pressure, and lipid profile, whereas improvements in insulin sensitivity were only transient.

Caloric restriction attenuates C57BL/6J mouse lung injury and extra-pulmonary toxicity induced by real ambient particulate matter exposure

“…CR is known to inhibit in ammatory responses and to improve immunity [47,48]. Prior studies have indicated that CR inhibited critical pathways involved in cytokine and chemokine signaling to reduce the level of circulating pro-in ammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β [53][54][55][56][57][58]. Healthy individuals undergoing short-term CR have been shown to have reduced monocyte metabolic and in ammatory activity and a drastic decrease in circulating and organ monocyte numbers [59,60].…”

The biological and psychosocial aspects of successful aging in high functional elders: A longitudinal study

“…Thus, in agreement with the findings by Dela et al, a much stricter intervention in terms of nutritional control and exercise is required to reduce LDL cholesterol. That this is achievable has been shown by the Calerie studies . Nevertheless, as reported by Dela et al the improvements in insulin sensitivity may be only transient when the intervention includes only a caloric restriction, while it may be sustained when the intervention includes a substantial amount of exercise together with dietary control in type 2 diabetics…”

“…That this is achievable has been shown by the Calerie studies. 18,19 Nevertheless, as reported by Dela et al 14 the improvements in insulin sensitivity may be only transient when the intervention includes only a caloric restriction, 19 while it may be sustained when the intervention includes a substantial amount of exercise together with dietary control in type 2 diabetics. 16 Overall, as reported for several chronic diseases, exercise helps to improve several psychosocial aspects of life, while it slows down the aging-associated decline in motor functions.…”

Ramadan fasting during Covid-19 pandemic

“…In clinical settings, caloric restriction and fasting has been documented to improve several cardiometabolic risk factors in nonobese humans. [16] This healing effect is medicated through a wide range of mechanisms such as modification of blood pressure, resting heart rate, levels of high-density and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL) cholesterols, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin concentration, and insulin resistance. [16][17][18] Besides, atherosclerosisassociated systemic inflammation and oxidative stress markers can be significantly reduced in fasting.…”

“…[16] This healing effect is medicated through a wide range of mechanisms such as modification of blood pressure, resting heart rate, levels of high-density and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL) cholesterols, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin concentration, and insulin resistance. [16][17][18] Besides, atherosclerosisassociated systemic inflammation and oxidative stress markers can be significantly reduced in fasting. [19,20] Fasting can also protect individuals against malignancies.…”