Substituting Mushrooms for Meat to Control Body Weight

This is a one-year clinical trial to assess weight-loss, weight-maintenance, and biochemical parameters following a weight-control diet using either standard food guide pyramid alone, or standard food guide pyramid with substitution of mushrooms for meat.

This intervention study has a primary aim to assess omnivorous adult males and females' ability to control their weight over a period of 1 year. The control group will be required to use 90% lean ground beef a few times per week for one year while maintaining their personalized diet plans. The experimental group will have to follow their personalized diets as well, but will be required to substitute mushrooms for meat at least three times per week. Biochemical measures will also be assessed in response to the diet and weight loss.

Mushroom enriched weight loss diet. Participants will be given a personalized diet plan, at a calorie level sufficiently restricted to result in a 20 lb weight loss over a period of 6 months, followed by a weight maintenance diet for a further 6 months.

Participants will be given a personalized diet plan, without use of mushrooms as part of the diet, at a calorie level sufficiently restricted to result in a 20 lb weight loss over a period of 6 months, followed by a weight maintenance diet for a further 6 months.

Participants will be given a personalized diet plan, with or without use of mushrooms as part of the diet, at a calorie level sufficiently restricted to result in a 20 lb weight loss over a period of 6 months, followed by a weight maintenance diet for a further 6 months.

Effect of mushroom-substituted meals on biomarkers for oxidative stress, immune function and inflammation

Inclusion Criteria: Male, female, >=18 years old Omnivorous BMI 25-40 Seeking weight-loss Exclusion Criteria: <18 years old Vegetarians Dislike mushroom Chronic disease HIV+ Rheumatoid arthritis Pregnant or nursing child Must not self-report allergies to mushrooms

Cheskin LJ, Davis LM, Lipsky LM, Mitola AH, Lycan T, Mitchell V, Mickle B, Adkins E. Lack of energy compensation over 4 days when white button mushrooms are substituted for beef. Appetite. 2008 Jul;51(1):50-7. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2007.11.007. Epub 2007 Dec 3.