Evaluation of the effect of a gluten-restricted diet on biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, MCP-1 and leptin in overweight and obese subjects: a pilot study

Abstract

Obesity is a disease caused by energy imbalance and excess body fat. It can be diagnosed by Body Mass Index (BMI), where the person's weight in kilograms (kg) is divided by height, in meters (m), squared. In this way a person with a BMI equal to or greater than 25 is classified as overweight, and when the BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. The inclusion of a lifestyle diet is a widely used method without treatment and prevention of this disease, so it is important that this diet acts directly in the inflammatory process. The gluten-free diet may be helpful in reducing fat gain, inflammation and insulin resistance, and can prevent the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Objective: To analyze the anthropometric profile, MCP-1, leptin and biochemical markers and oxidative stress of the participants after one month of a gluten-free diet. Methods: individuals were submitted to blood collections and were performed as anthropometric measures, before adherence to the diet and after one month. Results: significant differences in the pre-post intervention comparison in body mass, waist circumference, waist circumference, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Conclusion: the gluten-free diet was able to modify the anthropometric measures and the biochemical markers, to a greater extent in the eutrophic and overweight individuals.