General Health, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity

Asian Low-Carbohydrate Diet with Increased Whole Egg Consumption Improves Metabolic Outcomes in Metabolic Syndrome: A 52-Week Intervention Study

Obesity and poor metabolic health are growing global concerns, with type 2 diabetes affecting 10% of adults in Southeast Asia. Mounting clinical evidence demonstrates that low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets can promote weight loss and improve glycemic control in people with suboptimal metabolic health.

A randomized trial examined the effects of a low-calorie diet and two Asian ketogenic diets on weight loss and metabolic health in individuals with metabolic syndrome, focusing on the effectiveness of these interventions within the framework of traditional Asian dietary patterns.

76 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups:

1. BLC: Balanced low-calorie diet
2. White-AKD: Asian ketogenic diet with a minimum of 7 ounces (200 grams) of egg whites per day
3. Yolk-AKD: Asian ketogenic diet with a minimum of 3 whole eggs per day

Over a 12-week intervention followed by follow up at 52 weeks, participants’ body weight, glycemic control, lipid profiles, and metabolic hormone levels were monitored.

Results at 12 weeks:

• Weight: The AKD groups lost significantly more weight (9 lbs/4 kg) than the BLC group (0.9 lbs/0.4 kg).
• Waist circumference: The AKD groups experienced larger reductions in waist circumference compared to the BLC group.
• Glycemic control: The AKD groups showed greater improvements in fasting blood glucose compared to the BLC group.
• Lipid profile: The AKD groups experienced significant reductions in triglyceride levels, while triglyceride levels in the BLC group increased.
• Metabolic hormones: Both AKD groups experienced improvements in hormones associated with insulin sensitivity and appetite, while only the Yolk-AKD group had a significant decrease in inflammation-related hormones.

At 52 weeks, the AKD groups sustained greater weight loss and improvements in waist circumference, lipid profiles, and liver function compared to the BLC group.

This trial found that an Asian ketogenic diet with higher egg intake was more effective for sustainable weight loss and metabolic improvements than a balanced low-calorie diet. These findings suggest that ketogenic diets incorporating local Asian foods may offer significant benefits for managing metabolic syndrome in Southeast Asian populations.