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Accepted manuscript

Impact of a Combined Lower Carbohydrate and Mediterranean Diet on Metabolic Syndrome Severity: Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2026

Tannia Cyriac ,
Kate Oetsch ,
Barbara J. Meyer ,
Yasmine Probst Open the ORCID record for Yasmine Probst [Opens in a new window] ,
Lauren A. Roach ,
Vinicius A. Do Rosario  and
Monique E. Francois Open the ORCID record for Monique E. Francois [Opens in a new window]
Tannia Cyriac
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Kate Oetsch
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Barbara J. Meyer
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Yasmine Probst
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Lauren A. Roach
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Vinicius A. Do Rosario
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Monique E. Francois*
Affiliation:
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
*
Corresponding author: Postal address: Monique E. Francois, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, School of Medical, Indigenous & Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia. E-mail address: francois@uow.edu.au
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Abstract

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The Mediterranean and a low carbohydrate diet are two popular dietary approaches recommended for cardiovascular and metabolic health, respectively. This trial will compare the combined effect of these diets to either approach alone for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Males and females (n=222), 30-75 years, with at least three MetS risk factors will be randomised to one of 3 diets: i) Traditional Mediterranean (∼55% of energy carbohydrate [CHO]:15% Protein [Pro]: 30% Fat), ii) Lower Carbohydrate (∼35%CHO:20%Pro:45%Fat), or iii) Lower Carbohydrate Mediterranean (∼35%CHO:20%Pro:45%Fat) diet for 12-weeks. The primary outcome measure is the MetS Severity Z Score (MetS-Z), a composite score of risk factors, sex and ethnicity. MetS-Z will be calculated pre and post intervention using fasted blood samples for plasma triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and glucose, systolic blood pressure, body weight and waist circumference measures. The findings from this trial will offer new insights into the most effective dietary strategy for managing diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Keywords

metabolic syndromediet, mediterraneandiet, carbohydrate-restrictedcardiometabolic risk factors

Information

Type
Protocol Paper
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Accepted manuscript , pp. 1 - 24
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society