Objectives: Protein supplemented Very-Low-Calorie Diet (PSVLCD, < 800 kcal per day with 1.5g of protein per kg of ideal body weight) provide a rapid decrease in body weight, while maintaining an adequate quantity of protein in people with obesity. There are still many concerns about its use and safety in people with obesity. The present study sought to investigate the influence of a PSVLCD compared with traditional low calorie diet (LCD, 1200-1500 kcal/day for women, 1500-1800 kcal/day for men ) on weight and body composition in people with obesity. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of protein supplemented very low calorie diet on body weight reduction as well as body composition changes in people with obesity.
Methods: Total of 106 participants were randomly assigned to PSVLCD group or to an LCD group. Body weight, waist circumference, fat mass, and muscle mass were measured before and after 4 months of intervention. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Results: In PSVLCD group, body weight (-8.11kg vs -5.46kg, p = 0.046) and waist circumference (-7.86cm vs -4.46cm, p=0.001) significantly decreased compared with LCD group, while muscle mass was relatively well reserved (-1.36kg vs -1.71kg, p=0.744).
Both group significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and HbA1C from the baseline in four months but no statistically significant between two groups.
Conclusions: The PSVLCD group showed decrease in body weight and waist circumference while relatively preserved muscle mass after 16 weeks of intervention. PSVLCD offers well tolerated and safe option for weight reduction in people with obesity.
