Unsaturated Fatty Acids to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Obesity and HFpEF

Virginia Commonwealth University30 enrolled

Overview

This study is designed to evaluate the effects of a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)-also known as 'healthy fats'-in patients with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) on dietary consumption of UFA as well as fatty acids plasma levels.

The study will evaluate participant's food consumption during 2 different 12-week periods. During one of the 12-week periods, participants will receive specific counseling and instructions on how to increase the consumption of food rich in healthy fats; during the other 12-week period they will receive general dietary recommendations following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. There will be a 6-week break (washout) between the 12-week periods for a total of study period of 30 weeks. During each 12-week periods, the study will measure the effects of these dietary recommendations on dietary consumption and the fatty acids in their blood (primary endpoints).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity Heart Failure With Normal Ejection Fraction

Interventions

UFA dietary recommendationsBEHAVIORAL

The face-to-face intervention will be performed by a research nutritionist that reviews the dietary recall and provides a list of commonly available foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)), together with individual instructions on how to integrate the recommended foods in the daily dietary pattern based on the dietary recall, and also to emphasize that the recommended food should be consumed as listed, and not as part of processed food (i.e., guacamole for avocado, hazelnut chocolate for nuts, pesto for olive oil, fish sticks for fatty fish). Extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil or nuts will be considered first choice for daily consumption of UFA-rich food, but a list of daily food substitutes will be also provided .

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Major Inclusion Criteria: * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity) or total body fat percentage \>25% in men and \>35% in women * A confirmed clinical diagnosis of stable HF (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III) on maximally tolerated heart failure (HF) optimal medical regimen (without major changes in the prior month) * Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)\>50% documented in the prior 12 months Major Exclusion Criteria: * Concomitant conditions or treatment which would affect completion or interpretation of the study (i.e.,physical inability to walk or run on treadmill); * Significant ischemic heart disease, angina, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, moderate to severe valvular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, anemia (Hemoglobin\<10 g/dL) * Electrocardiography (ECG) changes (ischemia or arrhythmias) that limit maximum exertion during cardiopulmonary exercise test * Comorbidity limiting survival * Stage IV-V kidney disease (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate\<30) * Fluid overload * Pregnancy * Current use of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) supplement (i.e., omega-3). * Inability to give informed consent

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in 24-hour dietary recall

Measured with validated 24-hour dietary recall (non-self administered)

Time frame: At baseline, at 12 weeks, at 18 weeks, and at 30 weeks

Change in dietary compliance (biomarkers)

Measured by changes in biomarkers of unsaturated fatty acid consumption

Time frame: At baseline, at 12 weeks, at 18 weeks, and at 30 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.