Low fructose and low salt diets increase mitochondrial DNA in white blood cells of overweight subjects.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 23934680 · doi:10.1055/s-0033-1349144
What was done
Thirty-six overweight and prehypertensive adults were randomly assigned to either an isocaloric low-sodium diet or an isocaloric low-sodium and low-fructose diet for 8 weeks. Peripheral blood white cell mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) relative copy number was measured via real-time PCR, and systemic oxidative stress was assessed using plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH).
What was found
Compared to baseline, at week 8: - Leukocyte mtDNA relative copy number increased in the low-sodium group (2.4 vs. 13.1, p < 0.05) and in the low-sodium plus low-fructose group (1.9 vs. 147.2, p < 0.05). - Plasma DNPH levels decreased in the low-sodium group (4.6 vs. 2.6, p < 0.05) and in the low-sodium plus low-fructose group (5.8 vs. 2.2, p < 0.05). - No significant differences were found with MDA.
Why it matters
This study suggests that short-term dietary sodium reduction, particularly when paired with fructose restriction, may enhance leukocyte mitochondrial content and lower oxidative stress markers in prehypertensive individuals.
Limits
Sample size is small (n = 36) with only 8 weeks of follow-up. There was no control group maintaining a habitual/unrestricted diet, and the abstract provides no direct between-group statistical comparisons, compliance data, or clinical cardiovascular endpoints.
Cited by
- supports A study showed a 70-fold increase in mitochondria in white blood cells in people placed on a low-sodium, low-fructose diet.