Mediterranean Diet and Protein-Sparing Modified Diet for Metabolic Syndrome in Liver Transplant Recipients
Mediterranean Diet and Protein-Sparing Modified Diet for Metabolic Syndrome in Liver Transplant Recipients
Many metabolic complications can develop after liver transplant including: diabetes, high
 blood pressure, obesity, heart attacks and stroke. The goal of this study is to look at the
 safety and effect of 2 well known and established diet regimens on the people who had a prior
 liver transplant and investigate whether it helps with the control of these comorbidities.
The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be effective in improving hepatic steatosis, insulin
 sensitivity, diabetes control and reducing cardiovascular risk in adult patients, but there
 is no data available for patients who underwent liver transplant. The protein-sparing
 modified fast (PSMF) diet has been used for years at the Cleveland Clinic to treat adult
 patients with obesity-related medical problems, but its safety and efficacy has not been
 established in liver transplant recipients.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Adult patients > 18 years old who had a successful liver transplant at least 1 year prior
 to enrollment who also have a BMI>30 with previous failed attempts at weight loss via
 conventional methods. In addition to one of the following:

 1. Triglyceride (TG)>150 mg/dl or specific treatment for this lipid abnormality

 2. HDL <40 mg/dl in females and <50 mg/dl in males or specific treatment of this lipid
 abnormality

 3. Systolic BP >130 or diastolic BP >85 mm Hg or treatment for previously diagnosed
 hypertension

 4. Fasting plasma glucose >100 mg/dl or previously diagnosed type 12 diabetes

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Significant behavioral issues that would interfere with compliance

 -  Lack of readiness to change (pre-contemplation, contemplation or preparation stages)

 -  Previous bariatric surgery

 -  Pregnant or planning to become pregnant

 -  History of a documented eating disorder (e.g. bulimia)

 -  History of kidney stones