Discussion

On average,the12 week lifestyle modification program employed in this study had dramatic impacts onthehealth ofthe25 subjects.

On average, subjects lost 13 lbs of body weight per person over the 12 weeks (about 6% initial body weight). Four subjects lost 25 lbs or more. This weight loss was further reflected in significant declines in BMI and waist circumference.

Even more dramatic, however, were the changes in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

• Blood pressure declined from an average of 131/86 mm Hg (Baseline) to 121/80 mm Hg (Final).
• Total cholesterol dropped from an average of 206 mg/dL (Baseline) to 176 mg/dL (Final). Most of this decline resulted from a drop in LDL cholesterol from an average of 134 mg/dL (Baseline) to 111 mg/dL (Final).
• Fasting blood glucose levels declined slightly overthe12 week program from an average of 97 mg/dL (Baseline) to 95 mg/dL (Final).
• And a standard Index of Insulin Sensitivity based on a Glucose Tolerance Test increased markedly from an average of 0.111 (Baseline) to a value of 0.127 (Final).

All of these changes are consistent with a reversal of Metabolic Syndrome and with significant improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health. They are further consistent with a dramatic reduction inthe risk of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, it is important to note that, most ofthe changes inthe health parameters measured in this study were continuous throughthe 12 week period, suggesting that asthe lifestyle program is extended, further improvements in health status and reductions in disease risk can be expected.

We conclude thatthelifestyle change program employed in this study was fully effective. The shifts in dietary habits to include low-glycaemic functional foods and low-glycaemic meals, andthemodest increases in physical activity offer a valuable approach for reversing Metabolic Syndrome and preventing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease in at-risk people.

Acknowledgment:
This study was funded by USANA Health Sciences, Inc.  It was conducted in partnership between USANA and Dr. Ray Strand. The protocol for the study was approved by the Western Institutional Review Board.

References

1. Mokdad AH, et al. 2000. Diabetes trends intheU.S.: 1990-1998. Diabetes Care 23:1278.
2. Narayan KM, et al. 2003. Lifetime risk for diabetes mellitus intheUnited States. JAMA 290:1884..
3. Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. 2002. Reduction intheincidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med 346:393.
4. Tuomilehto J, et al. 2001. Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus by changes in lifestyle among subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. N Engl J Med 344:1343.
5. Pan XR, et al. 1997. Effects of diet and exercise in preventing NIDDM in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes Care 20:537.
6. Reaven G. 2000. Syndrome X. Simon and Shuster, NY. 284 pp.
7. The functional foods supplied by USANA Health Sciences included low-glycaemic drinks (e.g. Nutrimeal) and low-glycaemic bars (Nutribars). The multivitamin/mineral supplement was USANA’s Essentials (Mega Antioxidant plus Chelated Mineral).
8. Stumvoll M, et al. 2000. Use of theoral glucose tolerance test to assess insulin release and insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Care 23:295.

Graphs

Results from the clinical trial measuring Reversal of Metabolic Syndrome through a Lifestyle Change Program involving a Low Glycaemic Diet and Exercise.  Results for the changes in body weight, total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and urinary 8-isoprostanes are shown in the six graphs below.  In all cases, the changes from Baseline to Week 12 are statistically significant at the p< 0.05 level.

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