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OBJECTIVES: Very low calorie diets (VLCDs) are effective at clearing hepatic steatosis and improving insulin sensitivity. Whilst long-term weight loss is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, the acute elevation in fatty acids during caloric restriction is potentially detrimental to cardiac metabolism and function. We sought to investigate any cardiovascular changes occurring over the course of a modern VLCD regime, alongside the expected peripheral metabolic improvements. METHODS: 25 obese volunteers (BMI 36.8 ± 5.8 kg/m2) underwent magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, metabolic profiling, and bio-impedance analysis before 1 and 8 weeks following a VLCD (800 kcal/day). Results were compared to 15 age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: After 1 week of VLCD, despite only modest weight loss, significant drops occurred in liver fat and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; by 14-50%, all p 

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41366-018-0263-2

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int J Obes (Lond)

Publication Date

12/2019

Volume

43

Pages

2536 - 2544

Keywords

Adult, Blood Pressure, Caloric Restriction, Cardiomyopathies, Fatty Liver, Female, Humans, Intra-Abdominal Fat, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Triglycerides, Ventricular Dysfunction, Weight Loss