Study: Effect of MUFA on Weight Maintenance

Researchers tested the effects of three different weight maintenance diets on appetite, glucose and fat metabolism following an initial low-energy diet (LED) induced body weight loss (Br J Clin Nutr. 2008) (DOI:10.1017/S0007114508137710). Following an eight-week LED and a two- to three-week refeeding period, 131 subjects were randomized to three diets for six months: monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), moderate-fat, high in MUFA with low glycemic index; low fat (LF), low fat; or control (CTR). Researchers found no difference in body weight, energy intake or appetite ratings between diets. Both the LF and MUFA diets compared to CTR diet reduced postprandial glycemia and insulinaemia and lowered fasting insulin from month zero to month six. Following the eight-week LED period lower levels of the appetite regulating peptides, pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2, along with increased appetite scores were seen in comparison to measurements performed after the six-month dietary intervention.

Researchers concluded the two competing diets, MUFA and LF, were equally good with respect to glucose metabolism, whereas the CTR diet resembling the typical Western diet, high in SFA, sugar and high glycemic carbohydrates, indicated associations to lowering of insulin sensitivity.