Intermittent carbohydrate restriction in cardiometabolic health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Effects of Intermittent Carbohydrate Restriction on Metabolic Health and Energy Balance in Adults with Abdominal Overweight and Obesity
IRAS ID
323721
Contact name
Guoda Karoblyte
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
13 years, 5 months, 16 days
Research summary
Metabolic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome are among the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Identifying novel lifestyle strategies for reducing metabolic risk remains a public health priority. Further research is needed to understand how low carbohydrate intakes influence human metabolism, and how intermittent periods of carbohydrate restriction impact weight loss and metabolic health markers.
The study will investigate two interventions that restrict carbohydrate intake at different times and durations, exploring their effects on metabolic health and energy balance in adults with abdominal overweight or obesity. The physiological mechanisms that may confer these effects will be explored by measuring a series of lifestyle and metabolic health parameters in free-living and laboratory conditions. A digital behaviour change intervention will be included in the study to assess whether any beneficial metabolic effects can be sustained.
The study is funded by Salus Optima, with the University of Bath serving as the research site. The research team will recruit participants until 36 adults with overweight or obesity have completed the study, consisting of a 2-week lifestyle monitoring phase, a 4-week dietary intervention, and a 4-week digital intervention, with four laboratory visits between each stage.
During the dietary intervention, participants will be allocated to one of the following groups: i) carbohydrate restriction (<8% energy intake) on two consecutive days each week; ii) carbohydrate restriction after 4 pm each day; or iii) no dietary changes. The digital intervention will involve using a mobile health application that provides individualised lifestyle recommendations based on previously collected data.
Dietary intake, physical activity and glucose concentrations will be monitored in free-living conditions through wearable devices. The laboratory-based measures will include anthropometry, body composition scans, indirect calorimetry, blood pressure monitoring, fat and muscle tissue biopsies, and sampling of blood and expired air.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0078
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion