The Effects of High Protein Intake on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Weight Loss in Low Caloric Diets in Obese Adults: A Systematic Review

Martin  Lauran; Ali Moghadas  Jafari; Kosar Mohamed  Ali; Mostafa  Hosseini

doi:10.18502/jbe.v10i1.17151

Martin Lauran GKT School of Medical Education, King’s College London, London, UK.
Ali Moghadas Jafari Farhikhtegan Hospital, Azad university of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Kosar Mohamed Ali College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq.
Mostafa Hosseini Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jbe.v10i1.17151

Keywords: Hypocaloric diet; High-Protein diet; Cardiovascular risk fac- tors; Weight loss; Systematic review;

Abstract

Introduction: This systematic review has been undertaken in order to assess the effects of hypocaloric, high- protein diets on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors such as serum lipid levels in metabolically healthy obese adults. The primary outcomes measured include changes in pre-and post- diet mean BMI, LDL-C, HDL-C, TAG, and TC levels.

Methods: Four databases including: Embase, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane and Web of Science were searched with no restrictions on language or publication period. Clinicaltrials.gov was also searched in order to identify unpublished or on-going studies.

Results: Three of four studies included in this systematic review noted a significantly greater loss in pre- and post- diet mean BMI levels in the hypocaloric, high-protein diet group as compared to hypocaloric, non-high protein diets (control). Whilst pre- and post-diet mean LDL-C, HDL-C, TAG, and TC levels did not differ significantly among hypocaloric, high-protein and control diet groups.

Conclusion: Hypocaloric, high-protein diets had an unclear effect on blood-lipid levels as compared to control. Weight loss however was significantly greater in the hypocaloric, high-protein group as compared to other hypocaloric, non-high-protein diet groups.