Effects of isomaltulose and high amounts of PUFAs together with elevated physical activity on subjects with a moderate metabolic risk profile before and after a 6-weeks randomized lifestyle intervention trial

Recently, a tremendous increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases was recorded in Germany and other countries worldwide. Promising prevention measures have been investigated throughout the last years. Elevated level of physical activity, fiber-rich diets, balanced intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and reduced sugar intake were positively associated with a reduced risk of metabolic diseases. Nevertheless, numbers of cases are still rising, displaying a huge burden for patients as well as society.

Therefore, it is important to identify new and advanced early detection measures, predict risk groups, provide a better life quality for patients and avoid severe diseases. Thus, we examine people with normal glucose tolerance, but suffering from diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, in a 6-weeks lifestyle intervention trial. We hypothesize, that elevated levels of physical activity (10.000 steps/day) combined with motivation based measures and intake of „healthy muffins”, containing isomaltulose as sugar replacement and a high but optimal ratio of PUFAs, can promote the patient's metabolic health and improve life quality. We justify our hypothesis with previous findings, revealing positive effects of PUFAs and slowly digested isomaltulose, compared to rapidly digestible sucrose, on postprandial glucose, insulin and triacylglycerol levels which are strongly associated to obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver.

Hence, PUFAs combined with isomaltulose and an increased number of steps per day may be a promising approach to reestablish metabolic health. Our intervention period just started and we are expecting our first results this May.