Low Carbohydrate/High Protein Diet to Improve Metabolic Health
Spinal Cord, Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Spinal Cord focused on measuring SCI, High Protein, Low Carbohydrate, Metabolic Health, Microbiome
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between the ages of 18 and 65 years
- diagnosis of traumatic SCI at the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar level (C5-L2) classified as American Spinal Cord Injury Association Classification (AIS) A, B, C, or D
- Impaired glucose tolerance or untreated type 2 diabetes
- at least 3 years post-injury.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant women.
- Neurological (other than SCI), vascular and/or cardiac problems that may limit function and interfere with testing procedures
- Patients with evidence of renal insufficiency and liver disease by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests
- Patients with underlying pulmonary diseases
Sites / Locations
- UAB
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
LC/HP group
Control
Intervention group will receive 8 weeks of LC/HP diet. The daily LC-HP dietary intervention will include ~30% total energy as protein (1.6 g/kg per day) with a carbohydrate-to-protein ratio <1.5 and fat intake set at ~30% of the total energy intake. Dietary fat sources will focus on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, e.g., plant oils and nuts; dietary carbohydrate sources will emphasize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes; and dietary protein sources will include lean meats, fish, chicken, eggs, and nonfat dairy foods, e.g., fat-free milk and low-fat cheese, consistent with American Diabetes Association and Institute of Medicine guidelines. All LC-HP meals will be provided by UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) Bionutrition Unit and delivered to participants' homes 3 times/week (a sample menu is included in Appendix J). Every delivery will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for 2 to 3 days.
Control group will not receive the experimental diet and will continue with their usual diets. Participants will complete three 24-hour food recalls (on 2 week days and one day in the weekend) three times (at weeks 1, 4 and 8) during the course of the study to gather dietary information including dietary intake and/or particular aspects of the diet. Participants will be asked to recall foods and beverages they consumed in the 24 hours prior to the interview. Three 24-hour food recalls appear optimal for estimating energy intake.