Maintenance of energy expenditure on high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate diets at a constant body weight may prevent a positive energy balance

• Published in: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2015-10, Vol.34 (5), p.968-975
• Main Authors: Martens, E.A, Gonnissen, H.K, Gatta-Cherifi, B, Janssens, P.L, Westerterp-Plantenga, M.S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Appetite; Biomarkers - urine; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Energy balance; Energy expenditure; Energy Metabolism; Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; High-carbohydrate low-protein diet; High-protein low-carbohydrate diet; Humans; Male; Nitrogen - urine; Single-Blind Method; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0261-5614; 1532-1983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.10.007

Summary Background & aims Relatively high-protein diets are effective for body weight loss, and subsequent weight maintenance, yet it remains to be shown whether these diets would prevent a positive energy balance. Therefore, high-protein diet studies at a constant body weight are necessary. The objective was to determine fullness, energy expenditure, and macronutrient balances on a high-protein low-carbohydrate (HPLC) diet compared with a high-carbohydrate low-protein (HCLP) diet at a constant body weight, and to assess whether effects are transient or sustained after 12 weeks. Methods A randomized parallel study was performed in 14 men and 18 women [mean ± SD age: 24 ± 5 y; BMI (in kg/m2 ): 22.8 ± 2.0] on diets containing 30/35/35 (HPLC) or 5/60/35 (HCLP) % of energy from protein/carbohydrate/fat. Results Significant interactions between dietary intervention and time on total energy expenditure (TEE) ( P  = 0.013), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) ( P  = 0.040), and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) ( P  = 0.027) appeared from baseline to wk 12. TEE was maintained in the HPLC diet group, while it significantly decreased throughout the intervention period in the HCLP diet group (wk 1: P  = 0.002; wk 12: P  = 0.001). Energy balance was maintained in the HPLC diet group, and became positive in the HCLP diet group at wk 12 ( P  = 0.008). Protein balance varied directly according to the amount of protein in the diet, and diverged significantly between the diets ( P  = 0.001). Fullness ratings were significantly higher in the HPLC vs. the HCLP diet group at wk 1 ( P  = 0.034), but not at wk 12. Conclusions Maintenance of energy expenditure on HPLC vs. HCLP diets at a constant body weight may prevent development of a positive energy balance, despite transiently higher fullness. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with Identifier: NCT01551238.