Combined Effects of Meal Frequency and Protein Load on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation10 enrolled

Overview

This study examines the effect of meal frequency and meal composition on risk factors of cardiometabolic disease.

Cardio-Metabolic Disease (CMD) is the leading cause of death globally \& in Singapore. Large scale epidemiological evidence confirmed that elevated postprandial Glucose, Insulin, Triglycerides are major risk factors for CMD. Recent evidence suggests benefits from high protein diets but the health effects of eating smaller meals remain enigmatic. The aim of this study is to examine Meal frequency (2-large vs 6-smaller isocaloric meals), under High or Low Protein loads on acute postprandial health biomarkers . The investigators hypothesized that Higher Protein \& Higher Meal Frequency would be beneficial for cardiometabolic health.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Metabolic Disease Cardiovascular Disease

Interventions

Meal (Eating) FrequencyOTHER

Dividing meal intake into 2 or 6 meals with equal energy content

Protein CompositionOTHER

Consuming meals with higher or lower protein.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Chinese Males * Age: 21 - 50 years. * Body mass stable within the last 2 months by self-report. * Body mass index (BMI): \< 30kg/m2. * Normal fasting blood glucose level≤ 6.0 mmol/L * Blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg * Not participating in any dietary interventions in the past 2-months. Exclusion Criteria: * Special dietary practice (e.g. Vegetarians, Atkins diet) or diets due to religious reasons during the study period (e.g. Fasting for Ramadan) * Smoking. * Excessive alcohol consumption: consuming alcohol on \>4 days per week with ≥5 alcoholic drinks (males) and ≥4 alcoholic drinks (females) per time (National Health Survey, 2010). * Metabolic Diseases (including thyroid dysfunction) * Using Medication affecting carbohydrate and fat metabolism * Allergy to any components of the provided meals (gluten, nuts, milk, dairy)