The functional effects of BIO-Enriched Protein Flours on Biochemical Outcomes and Visceral Adipose Tissue in a Ketogenic Diet.
Keywords:
visceral adipose tissue, inflammation and immune response, Orexin-A , adiponectin , Ketogenic diet (KD), BIO-enriched protein flours, metabolic healthAbstract
Background and aim: This study examined the effects of a ketogenic diet enriched with organic (BIO) protein-fortified flours supplemented with essential amino acids and B vitamins. Methods: The research was conducted at the SANABEA Agricultural Company, comparing industrial and BIO flour production, followed by a controlled dietary intervention. Twenty participants (10 males and 10 females, aged 30–40 years, BMI 35–39.9 kg/m²) underwent a three-phase nutritional protocol: Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD), Low-Calorie Diet (LC), and a Nutritional and Weight Maintenance phase (EA). Subjects were divided into three groups based on the source of dietary protein. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed, including body weight, BMI, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), Orexin-A, and Adiponectin levels. Results: The intervention resulted in significant reductions in body weight, BMI, fat mass, and VAT, alongside increased levels of Orexin-A and Adiponectin. The ketogenic diet demonstrated beneficial effects on metabolic and inflammatory markers, notably reducing C-reactive protein levels and enhancing an-ti-inflammatory responses. The inclusion of BIO protein-enriched flours helped mitigate potential nutritional im-balances commonly associated with ketogenic diets. Conclusions: These findings underscore the im-portance of a multidimensional nutritional approach that considers metabolic, inflammatory, and gut microbiota interactions. Future studies should expand the sample size and further investigate the long-term effects of BIO-enriched flours in dietary interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2027 Giovanni Messina, Antonietta Messina , Antonietta Monda , Fiorenzo Moscatelli , Marco La Marra, Emanuele Capasso , Vincenzo Monda , Paride Vasco , Mario Chisari , Lucio Di Mauro, Girolamo Di Maio , Ines Villano , Maria Casillo , Marcellino Monda , Rita Polito
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