The MHERO Study (Michigan's Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity Education Research Online)

University of Michigan94 enrolled

Overview

This study will compare the low-sodium/low-fat DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet with a very low-carbohydrate diet, helping us to better understand how two different dietary approaches may help participants control their blood pressure, lose weight, and reduce their blood glucose.

Adults with overweight or obesity, hypertension, and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes are at a high risk of adverse health outcomes including stroke, renal disease, myocardial infarction, and premature death. Evidence suggests that the first-line treatment for adults with this triple burden should be a comprehensive diet and lifestyle intervention. However, experts disagree about which diet should be recommended. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, a lower fat diet, is the de facto diet for adults with hypertension. A very low-carbohydrate (VLC) diet, a higher fat diet, is becoming the de facto diet for weight and glycemic control. In addition, a VLC diet may reduce blood pressure through weight loss and its impact on insulin (which alters renal sodium transport and leads to diuresis). Given that these two diets, DASH and very low-carbohydrate, are extremely promising options for this population, and the fact that they have never been compared in this population or any other, this comparison is strongly warranted. The investigators propose to use an interprofessional team (with expertise in nursing, psychology, medicine, policy, nutrition, pharmacy, and behavioral interventions) to conduct a comparative effectiveness trial of two different diets for adults with this triple burden. The HERO Study (Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity Education Research Online) will compare the health effects of the DASH and VLC diets. The investigators propose one aim: Test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary comparative efficacy of the interventions. The investigators will randomize 140 adults with this triple burden to the DASH or VLC versions of the 4-month intervention. Outcome measures include intervention feasibility (recruitment and retention); acceptability (satisfaction with the intervention); and preliminary comparative efficacy as determined by changes in our primary outcome (systolic blood pressure), as well as exploratory secondary outcomes (weight, glycemic control).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Type2 Diabetes Mellitus Hypertension PreDiabetes Overweight and Obesity

Interventions

DASH dietBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be taught to follow a DASH diet (low-sodium and low-fat meal plan, which includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, and nuts, with processed, high-sodium, regular-fat, and sugar-added foods restricted).

Very low carbohydrate, ketogenic dietBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be taught to follow a very low-carbohydrate diet (non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, fish, and natural fats such as avocado, olive oil, and butter, with starchy and sugary foods restricted).

ExtrasBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be given training in positive affect, mindfulness, health information seeking and sharing, and cooking practices and behavior.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. BMI of 25-50 2. Diagnosis pre-hypertension or hypertension (within the past 6 months) and current resting systolic blood pressure \> 130 mmHg. 3. Diagnosis of either prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, defined as: 1. HbA1c of at least 5.7% or 2. Two-hour glucose tolerance test \>140 mg/dL 4. Aged 21-70 years old 5. Access to the internet and text messaging 6. Ability to engage in light physical activity 7. Sufficient control over their food intake to adhere to study diets 8. Willingness to regularly monitor blood pressure, glucose, dietary intake, and body weight over 4-month trial 9. Participation in the trial approved by primary care provider, along with agreement to work with the participant and our research team to manage medication changes Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-English speaking 2. Current use of insulin, Dilantin, lithium, and warfarin 3. Inability to complete baseline measurements 4. Severe renal or hepatic insufficiency 5. Cardiovascular dysfunction, including diagnosis of: 1. Congestive heart failure 2. Angina 3. Arrhythmias 4. Cardiomyopathy 5. Valvular heart disease 6. Uncontrolled psychiatric disorder 7. Consumes \>30 alcoholic drinks per week 8. Currently undergoing chemotherapy 9. Pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the next 12 months 10. Breastfeeding or less than 6 months' post-partum 11. Planned weight loss surgery or similar surgery performed previously 12. Vegan or vegetarian 13. Currently enrolled in a weight loss program or take weight loss supplements (that are not willing to be stopped before enrolling) 14. Expecting to move out of the area within 12 months 15. Any other medical condition that may make either diet dangerous as determined by the study medical team.

Locations (1)

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Systolic blood pressure

Measured with sphygmomanometer, assessed as change in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure will both be measured, but systolic blood pressure is the main outcome)

Time frame: 4 months

Secondary Outcomes

Glycemic control

Measured with HbA1c, assessed as change in HbA1c

Time frame: 4 months

Weight loss

Measured by body weight scale, assessed as change in percent body weight lost

Time frame: 4 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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