Dietary Intakes of Fiber and Magnesium and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in First Year After Renal Transplantation

Objective

Considering the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the associated cardiovascular disease mortality after renal transplant, and considering that the lack of prospective studies regarding the role of fiber and magnesium in MetS prevention after transplant precludes definitive recommendations, we prospectively evaluated the potential role of fiber and magnesium intake in the incidence of MetS at 1 year after renal transplantation.

Design

This was a prospective cohort study.

Setting, Participants, and Measurements

We included 160 recipients of kidney transplant (100 men and 60 women) aged over 18 years who were free of MetS or diabetes at time of transplant, and followed these patients for 1 year.

Methods

The usual dietary intakes were assessed with a Willett-format 168-item food-frequency questionnaire. We defined MetS according to modified Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. We categorized participants by tertiles of dietary fiber and magnesium. To determine associations of fiber and magnesium intake with MetS incidence 1 year posttransplant, we used multivariable logistic regression.

Results

After controlling for potential confounders, including baseline body mass index and energy intake, subjects within the highest tertile of fiber intake had a lower odds ratio for incident MetS (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.99; P < .05 for trend) than those in the lowest tertile. There was no significant overall association between magnesium intake and MetS.

Conclusions

These findings support current dietary recommendations to increase intakes of fiber-rich foods as a primary preventive approach against MetS and cardiovascular disease, which are very prevalent after renal transplant.