Is protein the forgotten ingredient: Effects of higher compared to lower protein diets on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Vogtschmidt,Y.D. Raben,A. Faber,I. de Wilde,C. Lovegrove,J.A. Givens,D.I. Pfeiffer,A.F.H. Soedamah-Muthu,S.
Vogtschmidt,Y.D.
Raben,A.
Faber,I.
de Wilde,C.
Lovegrove,J.A.
Givens,D.I.
Pfeiffer,A.F.H.
Soedamah-Muthu,S.
Abstract
Background and aims Higher protein (HP) diets may lead to lower cardiometabolic risk, compared to lower protein (LP) diets. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of HP versus LP diets on cardiometabolic risk factors in adults, using the totality of the current evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Systematic searches were conducted in electronic databases, up to November 2020. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool the standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The main outcomes were weight loss, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass, systolic and diastolic BP, total cholesterol, HDL-and LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, fasting glucose and insulin, and glycated haemoglobin. Results Fifty-seven articles reporting on 54 RCTs were included, involving 4344 participants (65% female, mean age: 46 (SD 10) years, mean BMI: 33 (SD 3) kg/m2), with a mean study duration of 18 weeks (range: 4 to 156 weeks). Compared to LP diets (range protein (E%):10–23%), HP diets (range protein (E%): 20–45%) led to more weight loss (SMD -0.13, 95% CI: -0.23, −0.03), greater reductions in fat mass (SMD -0.14, 95% CI: -0.24, −0.04), systolic BP (SMD -0.12, 95% CI: -0.21, −0.02), total cholesterol (SMD -0.11, 95% CI: -0.19, −0.02), triacylglycerol (SMD -0.22, 95% CI: -0.30, −0.14) and insulin (SMD -0.12, 95% CI: -0.22, −0.03). No significant differences were observed for the other outcomes. Conclusions Higher protein diets showed small, but favourable effects on weight loss, fat mass loss, systolic blood pressure, some lipid outcomes and insulin, compared to lower protein diets.
Description
Funding Information: YDV received funding from the Rank Prize Funds, the Dutch Dairy Association and the Danish Dairy Research Foundation.
Date
2021
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Research Projects
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Keywords
ADULTS, ANIMAL PROTEIN, BLOOD-PRESSURE, BODY-COMPOSITION, Cardiometabolic, FAT DIETS, LIPID LEVELS, LONG-TERM, LOW-CARBOHYDRATE, Meta-analysis, Protein diet, Randomised controlled trial, STANDARD-PROTEIN, Systematic review, WEIGHT-LOSS
Citation
Vogtschmidt, Y D, Raben, A, Faber, I, de Wilde, C, Lovegrove, J A, Givens, D I, Pfeiffer, A F H & Soedamah-Muthu, S 2021, 'Is protein the forgotten ingredient: Effects of higher compared to lower protein diets on cardiometabolic risk factors : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials', Atherosclerosis, vol. 328, pp. 124-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.05.011