Physical activity (PA) group will receive free gym memberships and the instruction necessary to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity, ~80% of which will have an aerobic component. The participants will get basic health promoting guideline for healthy diet .

On top of the PA intervention described in Arm 1, the participants will be guided for moderate weight loss with a traditional Mediterranean (MED) diet, low in simple carbohydrates. The diet will include 1oz/day of walnuts that will be provided free of charge.

On top of the PA intervention described in Arm 1, the participants will guided for moderate weight loss with a MED diet, low in simple carbohydrates that will be rich in plants and polyphenols and low in processed meat. The diet will include 1oz/day of walnuts, 3-4 cups/day of green tea and ~500cc green shake/dinner based on specific strain of duckweed [Wolffia globose, "Mankai"], an aquatic plant, which might serve as a plant protein source. All the above will be provided free of charge.

Abdominal Obesity Metabolic Syndrome

Physical activity

Physical activity+ MED diet

****Sub-study from all 3 main arms: Autologous fecal microbiota supplement intervention derived from the time of maximal weight loss: At the 6-month time period, the time of anticipated greatest weight reduction, participants's feces samples will be processed to capsulized inocula. Samples will be frozen within 2 hours and will be kept at -80c pending analysis. Participants will be randomized to receive either research capsules or identical placebo capsules between 8 and 14 months time period. Placebo capsules will consist of a combination of powdered cocoa and vegetable gelatin in normal saline/glycerol and will be identical in appearance to research capsules.

Physical activity+green MED diet

Nuclear research center Negev

Effects of Green-MED Diet Via the Gut-fat-brain Axis

Effects of Green-MED Diet Via the Gut-fat-brain Axis; DIRECT-PLUS

Changes in body weight and waist circumference

Changes in hippocampus volume, diffusion Tensor Imaging (MRI)

Changes in resting state connectivity (MRI, sub-study)

Changes in cardiac anatomy (MRI, substudy)

Changes in cardiac function (MRI, substudy)

Changes in glycemic biomarkers (blood draw)

Changes in inflammatory biomarkers (blood draw)

Changes in liver function biomarkers (blood draw)

SNPs associated with fat distribution and visceral fat

24h dynamics of glucose using continuous glucose monitor. substudy

wolffia arrhiza/painonpudotus

Effects of Green-MED Diet Via the Gut-fat-brain Axis

Täydellisin lääketieteellinen tietokanta tieteen tukemana