A US phase 2, multicenter, randomized controlled trial revealed that 2 years of moderate calorie restriction significantly reduced multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in young, non-obese adults. From May, 2007, to Feb, 2010, the trial randomly assigned 218 participants (21–50 years, BMI 22·0–27·9 kg/m 2) to a 25% calorie restriction diet (n=143) or an ad libitum control diet (n=75). Individuals in the calorie restriction group achieved a mean reduction in calorie intake of 11·9% (from 2467 kcal to 2170 kcal) versus 0·8% in the control group, and a sustained mean weight reduction of 7·5 kg versus an increase of 0·1 kg in the control group, of which 71% (mean change in fat mass 5·3 kg divided by mean change in weight 7·5 kg) was fat mass loss. Calorie restriction induced a persistent and significant reduction from baseline to 2 years of all measured conventional cardiometabolic risk factors, including change scores for LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In addition, calorie restriction resulted in a significant improvement at 2 years in C-reactive protein, insulin sensitivity index, and metabolic syndrome score relative to control. A sensitivity analysis revealed the responses to be robust after controlling for relative weight loss changes. These findings suggest the potential for a substantial advantage for cardiovascular health of practicing moderate calorie restriction in young and middle-aged healthy individuals. Source: https://www.thelancet.com/
