A prospective randomised trial to determine the efficacy of a low glycaemic index diet given in addition to healthy eating and weight loss advice in patients with coronary heart disease. Retrospective analysis of the impact of a low glycaemic index diet on hospital stay following coronary artery bypass grafting: a hypothesis. Four-week low-glycemic index breakfast with a modest amount of soluble fibers in type 2 diabetic men. The effect of high- and low-glycemic index energy restricted diets on plasma lipid and glucose profiles in type 2 diabetic subjects with varying glycemic control. Low-glycemic index foods improve long-term glycemic control in NIDDM. Beneficial effect of low-glycemic index diet in overweight NIDDM subjects. Reducing cardiovascular disease risk with diet. Effect of a low-glycemic-index diet during pregnancy on obstetric outcomes. Influence on lifestyle measures and five-year coronary risk by a comprehensive lifestyle intervention programme in patients with coronary heart disease. Adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean diet in patients with coronary heart disease from a Northern European population: a pilot randomised trial of different methods of delivering Mediterranean diet advice. Diets high and low in glycemic index versus high monounsaturated fat diets: effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM. Five-week, low-glycemic index diet decreases total fat mass and improves plasma lipid profile in moderately overweight nondiabetic men. Effects of a very-low-calorie diet on long-term glycemic control in obese type 2 diabetic subjects. Effect of a low glycaemic index diet on blood glucose in women with gestational hyperglycaemia. A flexible, low-glycemic index mexican-style diet in overweight and obese subjects with type 2 diabetes improves metabolic parameters during a 6-week treatment period. Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial. Effects of a low-glycemic load diet in overweight and obese pregnant women: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Coronary risk factors in type II diabetes: response to low-intensity aerobic exercise. Effects of exercise training on coronary heart disease risk factors in renal transplant recipients.
Recent epidemiological and prospective trial evidence suggests that consumption of a low glycaemic index (LGI) diet will reduce coronary risk. We hypothesise that introduction of an LGI diet will improve the metabolic profile of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting.
                We conducted a randomised parallel group trial comparing a control group (n=29, age 61.8+/-9 y), who received currently advocated healthy eating dietary advice only, to an intervention group, who received healthy eating advice emphasising LGI carbohydrates (n=26, age 63.6+/-9.4 y) over a 12-week period in free-living patients with coronary heart disease. Outcome measures included fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides.
                A significant lower dietary glycaemic index was achieved in the group assigned to an LGI diet compared to the healthy eating control group (71+/-1 vs 81+/-1); fibre intake was also higher in the LGI group (20+/-1 vs 15+/-1 g). All biochemical markers of glucose and lipid metabolism measured were similar after 12 weeks of the LGI diet or control diet.
                The LGI group achieved a significant LGI and a higher dietary fibre intake. However, there was no measurable significant effect of either the LGI diet or the health eating diet on lipid levels; this may have been hidden by concurrent drug therapy. Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance influence medical outcome in subjects with coronary artery disease, these metabolic parameters also influence general perioperative surgical outcome. We hypothesize that glucose tolerance and insulin resistance can be favourably modified by reducing the glycaemic index of the diet.
                The present study is a retrospective analysis of a low and high glycaemic index diet on glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and perioperative outcome, as assessed by the length of hospital stay following coronary artery bypass surgery. Thirty-five adults awaiting bypass surgery were randomized, for the 4 weeks prior to surgery, to either a low glycaemic index diet (17 subjects) or high glycaemic index diet (18 subjects). Glucose and insulin responses during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test were assessed before and after dietary intervention and insulin-mediated glucose uptake was assessed in isolated adipocytes obtained at surgery.
                The patients who consumed a low glycaemic diet had improved glucose tolerance and significantly greater in vitro adipocyte insulin sensitivity at the time of surgery compared with the high glycaemic diet group (78.87 +/- 10.64% versus 41.11 +/- 7%, respectively). The total length of stay in the patients on the low glycaemic diet was less than patients consuming the high glycaemic diet (7.06 +/- 0.38 days versus 9.53 +/- 1.44 days, P < 0.5).
                This study provides further support that carbohydrate and fat metabolism influence cardiac outcome and provides new evidence that dietary modification prior to coronary artery bypass surgery can shorten hospital stay. Low-glycemic index diets are associated with a wide range of benefits when followed on a chronic basis. The chronic effects, however, of the substitution of 1 meal per day are not well known in diabetic subjects. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether the chronic use of a low-glycemic index breakfast (low-GIB) rich in low-GI carbohydrates and a modest amount of soluble fibers could have an effect on lipemia at a subsequent lunch, and improve glucose and lipid metabolism in men with type 2 diabetes. A total of 13 men with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated in a double-blind cross-over design to a 4-week daily intake of a low-GI versus a high-GI breakfast separated by a 15-day washout interval. The low-GI breakfast was composed of whole grain bread and muesli containing 3 g beta-glucan from oats. Low-GIB induced lower postprandial plasma glucose peaks than the high-GIB at the beginning (baseline, P <.001) and after the 4-week intake (P <.001). The incremental area under the plasma glucose curve was also lower (P <.001, P <.01, baseline, and 4 weeks, respectively). There was no effect on fasting plasma glucose, insulin, fructosamine, or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Fasting plasma cholesterol, as well as the incremental area under the cholesterol curve, were lower (P <.03, P <.02) after the 4-week low-GIB period than after the high-GIB period. Apolipoprotein B (apo B) was also decreased by the 4-week low-GIB. There was no effect of the low-GI breakfast on triacylglycerol excursions or glucose and insulin responses at the second meal. The high-GIB, however, tended to decrease the amount of mRNA of leptin in abdominal adipose tissue, but had no effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and cholesterylester transfer protein (CETP) mRNA amounts. In conclusion, the intake of a low-GI breakfast containing a modest amount (3 g) of beta-glucan for 4 weeks allowed good glycemic control and induced low plasma cholesterol levels in men with type 2 diabetes. The decrease in plasma cholesterol associated with low-GI breakfast intake may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
                Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. To determine whether glycemic index (GI) differentially affects improved glucose and lipid profiles observed during weight loss in overweight subjects previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with variable glucose tolerance.
                Twenty-three female and twenty-two male overweight subjects participated in 12 weeks of energy restriction (average BMI 33.2 kg/m2, age 56.7 years, glycated hemoglobin (GHb) 6.7%). After a four-week run-in on a high saturated fat (SFA) diet (1540 kcal/day, 17% SFA), the free-living subjects were randomly assigned to either a high- (75 GI units) or low- (43 GI units) GI diet (1440 kcal/day, 60% carbohydrate, 5% SFA) for eight weeks. Weight, serum lipids, plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin were measured every four weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed at baseline, weeks 4 and 12. From the baseline OGTT results subjects were divided into three groups of low, median and high glucose tolerance.
                At baseline, BMI, age and glycated hemoglobin concentrations were not different between subjects allocated to the high- or low-GI diets. After four weeks, weight loss was 3.6+/-0.3 kg. Fasting glucose (-5.6%), glycated hemoglobin (-2.8%), area under the glucose curve (-13.0%) and triglyceride (-13.8%) concentrations were reduced (p < 0.02). Between weeks 4 and 12 reductions were observed in weight (-4.9%), fasting glucose (-4.6%), area under glucose curve (-10.1%), glycated hemoglobin (-7.2%), triglyceride (-7.5%) and LDL-C (-13.2%) concentrations. Weight loss was not different between low and high-GI diets. However, glycated hemoglobin was reduced twofold more in subjects consuming a low-GI diet as compared to subjects consuming a high-GI diet, but this was not statistically significant. LDL concentrations were also reduced more in subjects with low glucose tolerance on the low-GI diet (p = 0.02).
                Weight loss produces substantial improvements in glycemic control and lipoprotein metabolism. Lowering the glycemic index of high carbohydrate, low fat diets increases the fall in LDL cholesterol in subjects with type 2 diabetes with low glucose tolerance, but has little effect on glycemic control. To compare high- and low-glycemic index (GI) diets in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
                Sixteen subjects with well-controlled NIDDM and normal lipid profile, 10 of whom continued oral hypoglycemic medication, participated in the study. A diet that emphasized low-GI foods (e.g., porridge, pasta) was compared with a high-GI diet (e.g., processed cereals, potatoes). The GI of the low-GI diet was 15% lower than the high-GI diet (77 +/- 3 vs. 91 +/- 1) but otherwise similar in macronutrient composition and fiber, as determined by a 4-day weighed record. The diets were instituted under instruction from a dietitian who visited subjects at home on a weekly basis. Body weight was maintained within 1-2 kg.
                Glycemic control was improved on the low-GI diet compared with the high-GI diet (statistically significant findings, P less than 0.05). Mean glycosylated hemoglobin at the end of the low-GI diet was 11% lower (7.0 +/- 0.3%) than at the end of the high-GI diet (7.9 +/- 0.5%), and the 8-h plasma glucose profile was lower (area under the curve above fasting 128 +/- 23 vs. 148 +/- 22 mmol.h-1.L-1, respectively). Mean fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol triglycerides, and lipoproteins did not show important differences.
                A low-GI diet gives a modest improvement in long-term glycemic control but not plasma lipids in normolipidemic well-controlled subjects with NIDDM. To determine whether low-glycemic index (GI) diets have clinical utility in overweight patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
                Six patients with NIDDM were studied on both high- and low-GI diets of 6-wk duration with metabolic diets with a randomized crossover design. Both diets were of similar composition (57% carbohydrate, 23% fat, and 34 g/day dietary fiber), but the low-GI diet had a GI of 58 compared with 86 for the high-GI diet.
                Small and similar amounts of weight were lost on both diets: 2.5 kg on high-GI diet and 1.8 kg on low-GI diet. On the low-GI diet, the mean level of serum fructosamine, as an index of overall blood glucose control, was lower than on the high-GI diet by 8% (P less than 0.05), and total serum cholesterol was lower by 7% (P less than 0.01).
                In overweight patients with NIDDM, reducing diet GI improves overall blood glucose and lipid control. Past research efforts to determine the influence of the diet on cardiovascular (CV) health have focused on the individual roles of specific dietary components with debatable success. Awareness of the impact and complexity of nutrient interactions has expanded in recent years to include assessment of dietary patterns as they contribute to lower CV disease risk.
                In a series of multicenter studies, we compared a comprehensive, prepared meal plan, formulated to meet recommended intake levels of macro- and micronutrients, with a self-selected diet based on the exchange system. The three studies comprised adult participants with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes (n = 560, 251, and 330, respectively). The first two studies (10 weeks) varied by the amount of contact with study personnel, and the third study assessed long-term effects over 52 weeks. Outcome measures included: blood pressure, lipid and lipoprotein levels, glycemic control, homocysteine, compliance, quality of life, and weight.
                The first study demonstrated significant improvements in all measures, with greater improvements with the prepared meal plan compared with the self-selected diet. The second study, designed to parallel the contact frequency that would occur in a real world clinical setting, also produced significant improvements in multiple CV risk factors. In the long-term study, in addition to sustained improvements in risk factors, significant weight loss was achieved and maintained over the 52 weeks.
                These trials demonstrate that regular consumption of a nutritionally complete diet offers multiple, concurrent clinical benefits for reducing CV disease risk and body weight. Pregnancy is a condition in which the glycemic index (GI) may be of particular relevance because maternal glucose is the main energy substrate for intrauterine growth.
                The aim was to compare the effects of low-GI and conventional dietary strategies on pregnancy outcomes in healthy women. Compliance and acceptability were also investigated.
                The subjects were assigned alternately to receive dietary counseling that encouraged either low-GI (LGI) carbohydrate foods or high-fiber, moderate-to-high GI (HGI) foods and were studied 5 times between <16 wk gestation and delivery. Of the 70 women who met the inclusion criteria, 62 completed the study (32 in the LGI and 30 in the HGI groups). Primary outcomes were measures of fetal size.
                The mean diet GI fell significantly in the LGI group but not in the HGI group. Compared with the LGI group, women in the HGI group gave birth to infants who were heavier (3408 +/- 78 compared with 3644 +/- 90 g; P = 0.051) and had a higher birth centile (48 +/- 5 compared with 69 +/- 5; P = 0.005), a higher ponderal index (2.62 +/- 0.04 compared with 2.74 +/- 0.04; P = 0.03), and a higher prevalence of large-for-gestational age (3.1% compared with 33.3%; P = 0.01). Women in the LGI group found the diet easier to follow.
                Because birth weight and ponderal index may predict chronic disease in later life, a low-GI diet may favorably influence long-term outcomes. Lifestyle measures of coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention have been overshadowed by the efficacy of drug treatments. This is particularly the case in the setting of secondary prevention where the benefits of lipid lowering, anti-platelet and anti-hypertensive drugs have been emphasised in numerous trials. Lifestyle measures address several CHD risk factors at once and are generally free of serious side effects.
                The objective of the present study was to determine whether a comprehensive programme of lifestyle modification could favourably influence dietary and exercise habits in addition to smoking cessation over two years. In addition, an attempt was made to evaluate if this programme could favourably influence the five-year CHD-risk in the male population included in the study.
                A total of 197 patients with proven coronary heart disease were included and randomised to a lifestyle intervention programme or to usual care. Follow-up was after a period of two years.
                Intervention comprised a low fat diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, psychosocial support and education, delivered by nurses on the rationale for pharmacological and lifestyle measures. Usual care comprised follow-up in the routine outpatient clinic. Both groups were given the same comprehensive medication according to recent guidelines.
                Patients in the lifestyle intervention group reduced the intake of saturated fat, sugar and cholesterol (P<0.001), increased their exercise level (P<0.01) and stopped smoking (P<0.05) when compared with the usual care group. A sub-analysis of the influence of five-year CHD calculated risk in males resulted in a relative risk reduction of 22% (95% confidence intervals 9-35). Although significant, this result must be interpreted with caution due to poor statistical power and reproducibility of the method.
                In the presence of modern drug treatments for secondary cardiovascular disease prevention it remains possible through a favourable diet, exercise and smoking cessation to show an additional reduction in the five-year risk for CHD in males. A Mediterranean diet has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet can be assessed using a Mediterranean diet score. The primary aim of this pilot study was to examine whether CHD patients in a Northern European population would adopt and maintain a Mediterranean diet, with a secondary aim of comparing the effectiveness of different methodologies aimed at improving compliance.
                Sixty-one patients with a diagnosis of CHD were randomised to one of three groups: either to receive conventional dietetic advice for CHD or advice to implement a Mediterranean-style diet using either behavioural counselling or nutritional counselling. Patients received a follow-up assessment at 6 months (adoption) and a subset of patients was followed up at 12 months (maintenance). The primary outcome measure was the between-group difference in the mean change in Mediterranean diet score (MDS).
                The change in MDS was not significantly different between groups. However, all three groups reported a significant within-group increase in MDS (P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months follow-up.
                All three groups made dietary changes towards a Mediterranean diet, but behavioural counselling did not have significant additional benefit over nutritional counselling in initiating and maintaining dietary change, and neither method offering specific Mediterranean diet advice had any significant benefit in terms of improvement in MDS over conventional dietetic practice. To examine the relative effects of high and low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates, and monounsaturated fats on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM subjects.
                Fourteen male and seven female variably controlled NIDDM subjects recruited by advertisement.
                Free living outpatients.
                A repeated measures, within-subject design was used such that each subject consumed three diets: (a) a high-GI diet (53% CHO -21% fat, 63 GI units (glucose= 100)); (b) a low-GI diet (51% CHO -23% fat, 43 GI units); and (c) a high-mono high-GI diet (42% CHO -35% fat, 59 GI units) in random order and cross-over fashion for four weeks. Approximately 45% energy was provided as key foods which differed in published GI values and specifically excluded legumes. Dietary fibre intake was > 30 g/d on each diet. At the end of each dietary intervention, we measured fasting plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total glycated plasma protein, fructosamine, LDL and HDL particle size as well as 24 h urinary excretion of glucose and C-peptide.
                HDL-cholesterol was higher on the low-GI and high-mono high-GI diets compared to the high-GI diet (P < 0.05 for overall diet effect). There were no other significant differences in metabolic control between diets, even when adjusted for BMI, glucose control or gender. Body weight and saturated fat intake remained stable between dietary interventions.
                High-mono high-GI and high-CHO, low-GI diets are superior to high-CHO, high-GI diets with respect to HDL metabolism but no effect was noted on glucose metabolism in variably controlled NIDDM subjects. To evaluate whether a 5-week low-glycemic index (LGI) diet versus a high-glycemic index (HGI) diet can modify glucose and lipid metabolism as well as total fat mass in nondiabetic men.
                In this study, 11 healthy men were randomly allocated to 5 weeks of an LGI or HGI diet separated by a 5-week washout interval in a crossover design.
                The LGI diet resulted in lower postprandial plasma glucose and insulin profiles and areas under the curve (AUCs) than the HGI diet. A 5-week period of the LGI diet lowered plasma triacylglycerol excursion after lunch (AUC, P < 0.05 LGI vs. HGI). These modifications were associated with a decrease in the total fat mass by approximately 700 g (P < 0.05) and a tendency to increase lean body mass (P < 0.07) without any change in body weight. This decrease in fat mass was accompanied by a decrease in leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and hormone-sensitive lipase RNAm quantities in the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (P < 0.05).
                We concluded that 5 weeks of an LGI diet ameliorates some plasma lipid parameters, decreases total fat mass, and tends to increase lean body mass without changing body weight. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the expression of some genes implicated in lipid metabolism. Such a diet could be of benefit to healthy, slightly overweight subjects and might play a role in the prevention of metabolic diseases and their cardiovascular complications. We tested the hypothesis that the use of a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) in combination with behavior modification would promote long-term glycemic control in obese type 2 diabetic subjects. Thirty-six diabetic subjects were randomly assigned to a standard behavior therapy program or to a behavior therapy program that included an 8-week period of VLCD. The behavior therapy group consumed a balanced diet of 4200 to 6300 J/d throughout the 20-week program. The VLCD group consumed a balanced diet of 4200 to 6300 J for weeks 1 to 4, followed by a VLCD (1680 J/d of lean meat, fish, and fowl) for weeks 5 to 12. The VLCD group then gradually reintroduced other foods during weeks 13 to 16 and consumed a balanced diet of 4200 to 6300 J/d for weeks 17 to 20. Thirty-three of the 36 subjects completed the 20-week program and the 1-year follow-up. Use of the VLCD produced greater decreases in fasting glucose at the end of the 20-week program and at 1-year follow-up and greater long-term reductions in HbA1. The VLCD group also had greater weight losses at week 20, but weight losses from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up were similar in the two treatment groups. The improved glycemic control with the VLCD appeared to be due to increased insulin secretion, but further research is needed to confirm this. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility and effect on glycaemic control of a low-glycaemic-index (GI) diet in women with gestational diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance of pregnancy.
                participants, recruited from the Diabetes-in-Pregnancy Clinic of an inner-city teaching hospital serving a predominantly non-Caucasian population, were randomized to a low-GI (n=23) or control (n=24) diet and followed from 28 weeks gestation until delivery. Self-monitored-blood-glucose (SMBG), maternal and infant weight were collected from medical charts. Dietary intakes were assessed using diet records and questionnaires.
                diet GI on control (58, 95% CI: 56,60) was significantly higher than on low-GI (49, 95% CI: 47,51; p=0.001). Glycaemic control improved on both diets, but more postprandial glucose values were within target on low-GI (58.4% of n=1891) than control (48.7% of n=1834; p<0.001). SMBG post-breakfast was directly related to pre-pregnancy BMI in the control, but not the low-GI group (BMI*diet interaction; p=0.021). Participants accepted the study foods and were willing to consume them post-intervention.
                a low-GI diet was feasible and acceptable in this sample and facilitated control of postprandial glucose. A larger study is needed to determine the effect of a low-GI diet on maternal and infant outcomes.
                2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a flexible lower- and higher-glycemic index (GI) Mexican-style diet on biochemical data and BMI during a 6-week treatment period.
                This study was a randomized, crossover design of two 6-week periods with a 6-week washout period between treatments. Subjects with type 2 diabetes (n = 36) with a BMI >25 kg/m(2) were selected. Fourteen subjects completed the study with eligible dietary records. Dietary instruction was provided on flexible diets with both a high and low GI. Fasting venous blood samples were taken at the start and finish of each dietary period, and biochemical data were analyzed. Multi- and univariate one-factor repeated-measures ANOVA were used to compare biochemical data.
                Glycemic load and GI were lower during the low-GI diet, and dietary fiber was lower during the high-GI diet. The participants in the low-GI period consumed significantly fewer carbohydrates, such as white-wheat bread, white long-grain rice, potatoes, high-GI fruits, and carrots, and more carbohydrates, such as pinto beans, whole-meal wheat bread, and low-GI fruits than did participants in the high-GI period. There were no differences in the amount of carbohydrates consumed, such as corn tortillas and dairy products. At the end of the study periods, A1c was improved on the low- compared with the high-GI diet (P < 0.008).
                We conclude that a low-GI diet, containing Mexican-style foods, may help to improve the metabolic control in type 2 obese diabetic subjects during a 6-week period. Multiple epidemiologic studies and some trials have linked diet with cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, but long-term intervention data are needed.
                To test the hypothesis that a dietary intervention, intended to be low in fat and high in vegetables, fruits, and grains to reduce cancer, would reduce CVD risk.
                Randomized controlled trial of 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years, of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. Women were randomly assigned to an intervention (19,541 [40%]) or comparison group (29,294 [60%]) in a free-living setting. Study enrollment occurred between 1993 and 1998 in 40 US clinical centers; mean follow-up in this analysis was 8.1 years.
                Intensive behavior modification in group and individual sessions designed to reduce total fat intake to 20% of calories and increase intakes of vegetables/fruits to 5 servings/d and grains to at least 6 servings/d. The comparison group received diet-related education materials.
                Fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD), fatal and nonfatal stroke, and CVD (composite of CHD and stroke).
                By year 6, mean fat intake decreased by 8.2% of energy intake in the intervention vs the comparison group, with small decreases in saturated (2.9%), monounsaturated (3.3%), and polyunsaturated (1.5%) fat; increases occurred in intakes of vegetables/fruits (1.1 servings/d) and grains (0.5 serving/d). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, diastolic blood pressure, and factor VIIc levels were significantly reduced by 3.55 mg/dL, 0.31 mm Hg, and 4.29%, respectively; levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin did not significantly differ in the intervention vs comparison groups. The numbers who developed CHD, stroke, and CVD (annualized incidence rates) were 1000 (0.63%), 434 (0.28%), and 1357 (0.86%) in the intervention and 1549 (0.65%), 642 (0.27%), and 2088 (0.88%) in the comparison group. The diet had no significant effects on incidence of CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.06), stroke (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90-1.15), or CVD (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.92-1.05). Excluding participants with baseline CVD (3.4%), the HRs (95% CIs) for CHD and stroke were 0.94 (0.86-1.02) and 1.02 (0.90-1.17), respectively. Trends toward greater reductions in CHD risk were observed in those with lower intakes of saturated fat or trans fat or higher intakes of vegetables/fruits.
                Over a mean of 8.1 years, a dietary intervention that reduced total fat intake and increased intakes of vegetables, fruits, and grains did not significantly reduce the risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD in postmenopausal women and achieved only modest effects on CVD risk factors, suggesting that more focused diet and lifestyle interventions may be needed to improve risk factors and reduce CVD risk.
                ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611. The optimal diet for pregnancy that is complicated by excessive weight is unknown.
                We aimed to examine the effects of a low-glycemic load (low-GL) diet in overweight and obese pregnant women.
                We randomly assigned 46 overweight or obese pregnant women to receive a low-GL or a low-fat diet. Participants received carbohydrate-rich foods, fats, and snack foods through home delivery or study visits. The primary outcome was birth weight z score. Other endpoints included infant anthropometric measurements, gestational duration, maternal weight gain, and maternal metabolic parameters.
                There were no significant differences in birth weight z score or other measures of infant adiposity between groups. However, in the low-GL compared with the low-fat group, gestational duration was longer (mean ± SD: 39.3 ± 1.1 compared with 37.9 ± 3.1 wk; P = 0.05) and fewer deliveries occurred at ≤ 38.0 wk (13% compared with 48%, P = 0.02; with exclusion of planned cesarean deliveries: 5% compared with 53%; P = 0.002). Adjusted head circumference was greater in the low-GL group (35.0 ± 0.8 compared with 34.2 ± 1.3 cm, P = 0.01). Women in the low-GL group had smaller increases in triglycerides [median (interquartile range): 49 (19, 70) compared with 93 (34, 129) mg/dL; P = 0.03] and total cholesterol [13 (0, 36) compared with 33 (22, 56) mg/dL, P = 0.04] and a greater decrease in C-reactive protein [-2.5 (-5.5, -0.7) compared with -0.4 (-1.4, 1.5) mg/dL, P = 0.007].
                A low-GL diet resulted in longer pregnancy duration, greater infant head circumference, and improved maternal cardiovascular risk factors. Large-scale studies are warranted to evaluate whether dietary intervention during pregnancy aimed at lowering GL may be useful in the prevention of prematurity and other adverse maternal and infant outcomes. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00364403. Patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes are at greatly increased risk for coronary artery disease. Although exercise training has been shown to decrease risk factors, the presence of obesity, older age, and a sedentary lifestyle make a high-intensity exercise program an unrealistic choice of therapy. Therefore, we examined the effect of a low-to-moderate-intensity (mean 69 per cent of maximal heart rate) walking program on lipids, glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin and cardiovascular fitness. Nine women and seven men, mean age 56, were randomly assigned to a control or an exercise group which exercised three times per week for two months. Supervised exercise sessions consisted of 40-45 minutes of walking and/or slow jogging. Subjects continued on their usual diets. The trained group showed a significant improvement in VO2max from 1.65 to 1.95 L/min. Resting systolic blood pressure decreased from 141 to 130 mm Hg after training, and resting heart rate decreased from 88 to 81. Glycosylated hemoglobin decreased in the exercise group in seven or eight subjects and in only two of eight controls. Triglycerides decreased in the exercise group from 285 to 223 mg/dl. Body weight, total and HDL cholesterol, glucose, and insulin did not change in either group. These data indicate that a low-to-moderate level of aerobic training, independent of dietary changes, is an effective and feasible method of improving cardiovascular risk factors: physical fitness, systolic blood pressure, plasma triglycerides, and glycemic control in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Multiple risk-factor interventions that include lifestyle changes have been proved to be effective in reducing risk profile in persons at high risk for developing coronary heart disease (CHD). There have not been similar studies involving transplant recipients. The purpose of this study is to examine effects of exercise training on cardiovascular risk profile during the first year after renal transplantation. We used traditional CHD risk factors and the Framingham CHD prediction methods.
                Ninety-six transplant recipients were randomly assigned to 2 groups at 1 month posttransplantation: the exercise training (EX group; n = 51) and usual care groups (UC group; n = 45). Testing was performed at baseline and 12 months posttransplantation and included maximal exercise testing and evaluation of CHD risk factors and risk-factor categories, determined by means of the Framingham equations.
                Overall 10-year CHD risk score did not change in either group. All patients showed increases in total cholesterol (TC) level, high-density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol (HDL-C), and body mass index over time. No differences were observed between groups, except for a trend toward greater improvement in HDL cholesterol levels in the EX group (P = 0.07). Significantly more patients in the EX group moved out of the high-risk category in TC-HDL ratio. All patients remained in the high-risk category for physical fitness. There was a significant negative correlation of CHD risk and maximal exercise capacity (r = -0.406; P < 0.001).
                Exercise training alone does not reduce CHD risk during the first year after transplantation. Research to determine the effects of multiple risk interventions during a longer period in transplant recipients is warranted.
There is no evidence from RCTs to show an effect of low GI diets on coronary heart disease. Weak evidence for minor effects on some CHD risk factors was found. Many of the trials identified were short-term, of poor quality and did not have sufficient power to detect clinically important differences. The combined evidence from the studies suggests that any beneficial effect of low glycaemic index diets on CHD and its risk factors is small. There is a need for well designed, adequately powered, randomised controlled studies, of greater than 12 weeks duration to assess the true effects of low glycaemic index diets for CHD.