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Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Jun 2022Consumers are increasingly encouraged to consume more plant-based foods and lower their consumption of foods from animal origin. Concurrently, older adults are...
Consumers are increasingly encouraged to consume more plant-based foods and lower their consumption of foods from animal origin. Concurrently, older adults are recommended to consume an adequate amount of high-quality dietary protein for the prevention of age-related muscle loss. In the current Perspective article, we discuss why it may not be preferred to consume a vegan diet at an older age. Our perspective is based on the proposed lower bioavailability and functionality of proteins in a vegan diet due to the matrix of the whole-food protein sources, the lower essential amino acid (EAA) content, and specific EAA deficiencies in proteins derived from plant-based foods. We propose that a vegan diet increases the risk of an inadequate protein intake at an older age and that current strategies to improve the anabolic properties of plant-based foods are not feasible for many older adults. We provide recommendations for further research to substantiate the remaining knowledge gaps regarding the consequences of a vegan diet on skeletal muscle mass and strength at an older age.
Topics: Aged; Amino Acids, Essential; Animals; Diet, Vegan; Dietary Proteins; Eating; Humans; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 35108354
DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac009 -
Nature Medicine Feb 2024Nutrition has broad impacts on all physiological processes. However, how nutrition affects human immunity remains largely unknown. Here we explored the impact of a...
Nutrition has broad impacts on all physiological processes. However, how nutrition affects human immunity remains largely unknown. Here we explored the impact of a dietary intervention on both immunity and the microbiota by performing a post hoc analysis of a clinical trial in which each of the 20 participants sequentially consumed vegan or ketogenic diets for 2 weeks ( NCT03878108 ). Using a multiomics approach including multidimensional flow cytometry, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and metagenomic datasets, we assessed the impact of each diet, and dietary switch, on host immunity and the microbiota. Our data revealed that overall, a ketogenic diet was associated with a significant upregulation of pathways and enrichment in cells associated with the adaptive immune system. In contrast, a vegan diet had a significant impact on the innate immune system, including upregulation of pathways associated with antiviral immunity. Both diets significantly and differentially impacted the microbiome and host-associated amino acid metabolism, with a strong downregulation of most microbial pathways following ketogenic diet compared with baseline and vegan diet. Despite the diversity of participants, we also observed a tightly connected network between datasets driven by compounds associated with amino acids, lipids and the immune system. Collectively, this work demonstrates that in diverse participants 2 weeks of controlled dietary intervention is sufficient to significantly and divergently impact host immunity, which could have implications for precision nutritional interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03878108 .
Topics: Humans; Diet, Ketogenic; Diet, Vegan; Proteomics; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38291301
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02761-2 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... May 2022
Topics: Breast Feeding; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Mothers; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Vegetarians
PubMed: 35510463
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0847 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2023Diet is known to play a role in the development of skin disorders. While a vegan diet is frequently described as a risk factor for skin disease secondary to nutritional... (Review)
Review
Diet is known to play a role in the development of skin disorders. While a vegan diet is frequently described as a risk factor for skin disease secondary to nutritional deficiency, this risk may be overestimated. This review aims to debunk myths and provide information on skin disorders and inflammatory skin conditions that have associations with specific nutritional deficiencies in the context of a vegan diet. A literature search was performed for each nutrient and inflammatory skin disease using the PubMed/MEDLINE database and public health website pages concerning a vegan diet. The literature has individual cases reporting skin disease due to deficiencies in vitamin B2 and vitamin A in patients following a vegan diet. The recommended daily amounts of nutrients and vitamins can be fulfilled on a vegan diet. Vegan diets also avoid food groups such as dairy and other animal-based products, which holds benefits in inflammatory skin diseases including acne, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis. Overall, the risk of skin disease secondary to nutritional deficiency in patients following a vegan diet is very low and likely over-emphasized. A well-balanced and conscientiously planned vegan diet can adequately provide the necessary amounts of proteins, vitamins, and minerals to support skin health.
PubMed: 37762741
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185800 -
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition... Jan 2024Recent findings in the influence of dietary patterns, dairy products, beverages and microbiota composition and function on bone health are reviewed and discussed. (Review)
Review Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Recent findings in the influence of dietary patterns, dairy products, beverages and microbiota composition and function on bone health are reviewed and discussed.
RECENT FINDINGS
Evidence is accumulating on the increased risk of fracture in individuals following a vegan diet. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicates a favourable, though of low amplitude, effect of dairy products on bone mass accrual during childhood and adolescence. Though mostly based on results from observational studies, it seems that dairy product consumption, particularly fermented dairy products, is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. Regular green tea drinkers may have a lower fracture risk than tea abstainers. Magnesium intake is beneficial for bone health. Prune supplements prevents bone loss in untreated postmenopausal women. This seems to be associated with modification of gut microbiota.
SUMMARY
This information should help the medical practitioners facing questions from their patients on how to protect bone health through nutrition.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Female; Bone Density; Dairy Products; Bone and Bones; Hip Fractures; Biology
PubMed: 37922025
DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000988 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021There is a growing global need to shift from animal- towards plant-based diets. The main motivations are environmental/sustainability-, human health- and animal welfare... (Review)
Review
There is a growing global need to shift from animal- towards plant-based diets. The main motivations are environmental/sustainability-, human health- and animal welfare concerns. The aim is to replace traditional animal-based food with various alternatives, predominantly plant-based analogs. The elevated consumption of fish and seafood, leads to negative impacts on the ecosystem, due to dwindling biodiversity, environmental damage and fish diseases related to large-scale marine farming, and increased intake of toxic substances, particularly heavy metals, which accumulate in fish due to water pollution. While these facts lead to increased awareness and rising dietary shifts towards vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, still the majority of seafood consumers seek traditional products. This encourages the development of plant-based analogs for fish and seafood, mimicking the texture and sensorial properties of fish-meat, seafood, or processed fish products. Mimicking the internal structure and texture of fish or seafood requires simulating their nanometric fibrous-gel structure. Common techniques of structuring plant-based proteins into such textures include hydrospinning, electrospinning, extrusion, and 3D printing. The conditions required in each technique, the physicochemical and functional properties of the proteins, along with the use of other non-protein functional ingredients are reviewed. Trends and possible future developments are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Fish Products; Food Ingredients; Food Preferences; Food Technology; Humans; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Seafood; Soy Foods
PubMed: 33809067
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061559 -
Biology Feb 2024Diet has a key role in the reproductive axis both in males and females. This review aims to analyze the impacts of different dietary patterns on fertility. It appears... (Review)
Review
Diet has a key role in the reproductive axis both in males and females. This review aims to analyze the impacts of different dietary patterns on fertility. It appears that the Mediterranean diet has a predominantly protective role against infertility, while the Western diet seems to be a risk factor for infertility. Moreover, we focus attention also on dietary patterns in different countries of the World (Middle Eastern diet, Asian diet). In particular, when analyzing single nutrients, a diet rich in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, animal proteins, and carbohydrates with high glycemic index is highly associated with male and female infertility. Finally, we evaluate the effects of vegetarian, vegan, and ketogenic diets on fertility, which seem to be still unclear. We believe that comprehension of the molecular mechanisms involved in infertility will lead to more effective and targeted treatments for infertile couples.
PubMed: 38392349
DOI: 10.3390/biology13020131 -
Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Jul 2021This study aimed to assess the effects of the combination of a low-fat plant-based diet and soybeans on the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the effects of the combination of a low-fat plant-based diet and soybeans on the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes.
METHODS
Postmenopausal women (n = 38) reporting two or more hot flashes/day were randomly assigned to a low-fat, vegan diet, including ½ cup (86 g) of cooked soybeans daily, or to no diet changes for 12 weeks. Frequency and severity of hot flashes were recorded using a mobile application, and vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual symptoms were assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Significance was assessed using t-tests (continuous outcomes) and chi-squared/McNemar tests (binary outcomes).
RESULTS
Total hot flashes decreased 79% in the intervention group (P < 0.001) and 49% in the control group (P = 0.002; between-group P = 0.01). Moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased 84% in the intervention group (P < 0.001) and 42% in the control group P = 0.009; between-group P = 0.01). From 0 to 12 weeks, 59% (10/17) of intervention-group participants reported becoming free of moderate and severe hot flashes (P = 0.002). There was no change in this variable in the control group (between-group P < 0.001). The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire revealed significantly greater reductions in the intervention group in vasomotor (P < 0.0001), psychosocial (P = 0.04), physical (P < 0.002), and sexual (P = 0.01) domains.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of a low-fat, vegan diet and whole soybeans was associated with reduced frequency and severity of hot flashes and improved quality of life in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual domains in postmenopausal women. During the 12-week study period, the majority of intervention-group participants became free of moderate-to-severe hot flashes.
Topics: Diet, Vegetarian; Hot Flashes; Humans; Menopause; Postmenopause; Quality of Life; Glycine max
PubMed: 34260478
DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001812 -
JAMA Network Open Jan 2023More African American individuals die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than any other chronic disease condition. Despite this disparity, African American individuals... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
More African American individuals die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than any other chronic disease condition. Despite this disparity, African American individuals are underrepresented in nutrition and CVD interventions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of an entirely plant-based (vegan) or low-fat omnivorous (omni) diet on change in body weight and lipids during a 2-year intervention.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
The Nutritious Eating With Soul (NEW Soul) study was a 2-year, randomized clinical trial conducted in 2 cohorts (2018-2020 and 2019-2021) that took place in a university teaching kitchen in Columbia, South Carolina (before March 2020), and via online videoconference sessions (after March 2020). Participants included African American adults aged 18 to 65 years with overweight or obesity (body mass index of 25.0-49.9) and without type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disease, recent weight loss, or pregnancy. Data assessors and statisticians were blinded to study condition. Data analysis was performed from March to June 2022.
INTERVENTIONS
The intervention included weekly nutrition classes for 6 months biweekly classes for 6 months, and monthly classes for 12 months. Dietary interventions either emphasized no animal product intake (vegan) or a low-fat omnivorous diet (omni). Both dietary patterns emphasized soul food cuisine (traditional African American southern foodways).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcomes included change in body weight and lipid measures at 12 months.
RESULTS
There were 568 participants who completed an online screening questionnaire; 409 were excluded and 159 were randomized (77 to the vegan group and 82 to the omni group). Of the 159 participants (mean [SD] age, 48.4 [10.6] years; 126 female [79%]) who began the study, the main outcome of body weight was obtained for 121 participants (76%) at 12 months. There were no differences in outcomes between groups, including 12-month changes in weight (mean, -2.39 kg [95% CI, -3.48 to -1.30 kg] for the vegan group vs -2.03 kg [95% CI, -3.07 to -1.00 kg] for the omni group; P = .64), total cholesterol (-1.05 mg/dL [95% CI, -9.60 to 7.50 mg/dL] for the vegan group vs 1.66 mg/dL [95% CI, -7.20 to 10.50 mg/dL] for the omni group; P = .67), or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mean, -2.56 mg/dL [95% CI, -9.52 to 4.40 mg/dL] for the vegan group vs -0.79 mg/dL [95% CI, -7.98 to 6.40 mg/dL] for the omni group; P = .73). Weight loss at 12 months among cohort 1, whose weight was assessed in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, was significantly greater than that for cohort 2, whose weight was assessed summer 2020 during COVID-19 (-3.45 kg [95% CI, -4.67 to -2.22 kg] vs -1.24 kg [95% CI, -2.24 to -0.25 kg]; P = .01).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this randomized clinical trial examining weight loss and CVD risk factor reduction among African American adults, there were no differences between the groups, and the magnitude of changes overall was small.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03354377.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Black or African American; Pandemics; COVID-19; Obesity; Weight Loss; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Cholesterol; Cardiovascular Diseases; Lipids
PubMed: 36633848
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50626 -
Cureus Oct 2023Veganism, a way of eating that forbids goods produced from animals, is rising in acceptance around the globe. This thorough analysis investigates how a vegan diet... (Review)
Review
Veganism, a way of eating that forbids goods produced from animals, is rising in acceptance around the globe. This thorough analysis investigates how a vegan diet affects fetal growth during pregnancy, highlighting the need to maintain ideal maternal nutrition. The idea of "early life programming" emphasizes how a pregnant woman's lifestyle impacts her unborn child's health. Nutrient consumption during pregnancy makes it essential to have a healthy eating routine. While a carefully thought-out vegan diet may contain all the essential nutrients, some micronutrients need special attention, which may call for supplementation. The study delves into significant findings concerning nutritional adequacy and challenges in the discussion section, highlighting nutrients like calcium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and protein. It emphasizes medical professionals' need to monitor and assist vegan expectant mothers in meeting their nutritional needs. The analysis also examines the intricate connection between a mother's health and the outcomes of vegan pregnancies, such as decreased rates of gestational diabetes and hypertension. Examining fetal growth and development further highlights the complexity of this process, as do the contradicting data on birth weights. Furthermore, early data suggest that infants born to vegan moms may benefit cognitively, but further studies are required to prove a causal relationship. In addressing ethical and environmental issues in the review's conclusion, it is acknowledged that these aspects impact pregnant women's food decisions. Given the rising popularity of veganism, it is crucial to offer trustworthy advice to expectant women who are thinking about or already following a vegan diet.
PubMed: 38034264
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47971