Comparison of the Effects of the DASH Diet with a Low-Calorie Diet on Serum Levels of Spexin, Leptin, and Adiponectin in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Clinical Trial

Chronic low-grade inflammation caused by obesity disrupts the balance of adipokines. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet includes anti-inflammatory foods that have positive effects on body composition and adipose tissue. This study aims to compare the effects of the DASH diet with a low-calorie diet on serum levels of Spexin, leptin, and adiponectin in overweight and obese adults.

This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 120 overweight and obese adults who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a DASH diet with reduced calories, 2) a restricted calorie diet, and 3) an isocaloric diet (control group). The intervention period lasted 12 weeks, during which serum levels of adipokines, Spexin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

After the intervention, serum levels of adiponectin significantly increased and leptin significantly decreased in the DASH group. In the low-calorie group, only the effect on adiponectin was significant. The reduction in these variables was greater in the DASH group than in the low-calorie group. The difference between the three groups was significant for leptin and adiponectin, but no significant changes were observed in Spexin levels.

The DASH diet with reduced calories was found to improve serum levels of Spexin, leptin, and adiponectin, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular factors compared to the low-calorie diet.