Effects of a High Protein Diet on Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure

Examining the Effects of a High Protein Diet on Adiposity and Cardiac Structure in Patients With Heart Failure, Obesity, and Diabetes Mellitus

This research project was designed to study the role of dietary modifications in heart failure (HF) patients that suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to determine whether or not heart failure patients participating in a 3-month intensive lifestyle modification program of either a high protein (30 % of total calories from protein) group will have a significant improvement in weight reduction, quality of life and clinical outcomes compared to a standardized protein (15% of total calories from protein) group.

Clinical management of heart failure (HF) related to obesity and diet recommendations currently lacks a strong scientific basis, and clinicians are divided in their approach to diet recommendations for this patient population. It has been shown that in extremely obese HF patients, weight reduction improves cardiac structure and function as well as functional status and symptomatology. Evidence on the impact of voluntary weight loss on improvement in survival in obese HF patients, however, is limited. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not heart failure patients participating in a 3-month intensive lifestyle modification program of either a high protein (30% of total calories from protein) group will have a significant improvement in weight reduction, quality of life and clinical outcomes compared to a standardized protein (15% of total calories from protein) group. In addition to dietary interventions, participants in both groups with be given an exercise prescription and encouraged to exercise for 20-30 minutes at least 3-5 times each week as tolerated. They will also continue to receive usual medical care, advice and other support for their condition from their cardiologist or medical physician. Both sets of participants will utilize self-monitoring tools to assist with diet compliance and behavior change. These self-monitoring tools are mandatory and will be collected and analyzed. At each visit, subjects will also be asked to will also be asked to have their weight and waist circumference measured and, at select visits, they will provide a 24 hour recall to assess fullness with the overall diet. Subjects will be given a 3-day food (3DFR) record at baseline, which will be returned at the the 2-week, 4- week and 8-week visits, and will also complete the 3DFR at three months.

High Protein Diet in heart failure, obesity and heart failure, Weight management in Heart failure, heart failure, diabetes and obesity

12-week supervised weight loss program consisting of a HP diet defined as 30% of energy from protein, 40% from carbohydrates and 30% from fat

12-week supervised weight loss program consisting of a SP diet defined as 15% of energy from protein, 55% from carbohydrates and 30% from fat

Patients in the 2 study arms will participate in an intensive 12-week supervised weight loss intervention and will be seen by the same dietician at regular intervals: baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Participants will receive personalized nutrition counseling and support during each of these visits. Participants will be randomized to either the HP or SP diet and assigned to receive one of two standard structured energy-restricted meal plans (1200, 1500 Kcal/day) based on the computed calorie deficit

Change from Baseline in peripheral blood circulation (as measured using peripheral arterial tonometry and plasma nitroxide measurement)

Inclusion Criteria: obese (BMI > 27 kg/m2); history of type 2 DM or documented impaired fasting glucose (IFG) according to fasting plasma glucose levels of 100-125 mg/dl or meeting 3 out of 4 criteria or Metabolic Syndrome ( as defined by the International Diabetes Federation 2011 evaluation of HF and optimization of medical therapy; and ischemic or idiopathic HF etiology. Exclusion Criteria: age ≤18 years old; history of clinically significant illness including acute myocardial infarction or sustained ventricular arrhythmia in the prior 3 months or current liver, respiratory, and/or gastrointestinal disease and malignancy; pregnancy or lactation; serum creatinine level > 1.5 mg/dl;* currently participating in a supervised weight loss program; physician refusal to permit patient participation in the study; and weight loss of >6% in the last 6 months gout or history of gout