-
Nutrients Nov 2019Vegans are at an increased risk for certain micronutrient deficiencies, foremost of vitamin B. Little is known about the short-term effects of dietary change to... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Vegans are at an increased risk for certain micronutrient deficiencies, foremost of vitamin B. Little is known about the short-term effects of dietary change to plant-based nutrition on vitamin B metabolism. Systemic biomarkers of vitamin B status, namely, serum vitamin B and holotranscobalamin, may respond quickly to a reduced intake of vitamin B. To test this hypothesis, 53 healthy omnivore subjects were randomized to a controlled unsupplemented vegan diet (VD, = 26) or meat-rich diet (MD, = 27) for 4 weeks. Vitamin B status was examined by measurement of serum vitamin B, holotranscobalamin (holo-TC), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy). Holo-TC decreased significantly in the VD compared to the MD group after four weeks of intervention, whereas metabolites MMA and tHcy were unaffected. Body weight remained stable in both groups. VD intervention led to a significant reduction of cholesterol intake, and adequate profiles of nutrient and micronutrient status. Lower intake of vitamin B was observed in VD, which was mirrored by a lower concentration of serum vitamin B and reduced holo-TC after 4 weeks. Plasma holo-TC may be a fast-responding biomarker to monitor adequate supply of vitamin B in plant-based individuals.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol; Diet, Vegan; Fatty Acids; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Homocysteine; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Methylmalonic Acid; Micronutrients; Nutritional Status; Transcobalamins; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
PubMed: 31752105
DOI: 10.3390/nu11112815 -
Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) Apr 2021In 1985, S. Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner published a landmark paper in the . The title was "Paleolithic Nutrition: A Consideration of Its Nature and Current...
In 1985, S. Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner published a landmark paper in the . The title was "Paleolithic Nutrition: A Consideration of Its Nature and Current Implications," and this work postulated that an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease among modern humans is the result of a dietary composition that is incompatible with both our genetic ancestry and natural metabolic function. Over the intervening decades, numerous theories about optimal dietary approaches have been put forth and much debate has ensued. Among researchers and the public, we have witnessed vocal advocates emerge in support of the paleolithic philosophy of encouraging mild ketosis, while others passionately argue for plant-based vegetarianism. There is now evidence that neither extreme provides superior health benefits in isolation. According to numerous clinical studies, a hybrid approach may convey a positive and multifactorial influence on the intestinal microbiome, the metabolome, proteomics, and overall health outcomes. A Mediterranean-style diet has been widely studied, and a new concept-Pegan, which is a contraction of the words and -is now gaining worldwide attention.
PubMed: 34373678
DOI: No ID Found -
Pain Physician Nov 2023In the medical setting, clinicians frequently attend to patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Recent literature demonstrates diet may play a role in inflammation... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In the medical setting, clinicians frequently attend to patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Recent literature demonstrates diet may play a role in inflammation and musculoskeletal pain.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this narrative review is to present the most current literature on the effect of common diet regimes, additions, and eliminations on chronic musculoskeletal pain.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a narrative review of the literature on the effect of 1) Mediterranean diets; 2) vegetarian and vegan diets; 3) oils, seafood, and omega-3 fatty acids; 4) fruits; 5) spices and herbal teas; and 6) elimination diets on patient-reported musculoskeletal pain scores.
METHODS
In January 2023, the Google Scholar and PubMed databases were reviewed to identify research on the effect of common diet regimes and additions on self-reported pain outcomes in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
RESULTS
A total of 32 original research articles and a systematic review were included and used to develop grades of recommendation. There is fair evidence that diverse, plant-based Mediterranean, vegetarian, and vegan diets may reduce musculoskeletal pain. Other dietary considerations, including adding marine oils, seafood, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant-rich fruits, and turmeric may also benefit patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. There is poor-quality or insufficient evidence to support adding olive oil, ginger, or herbal teas to reduce pain. While eliminating aspartame and monosodium glutamate may reduce inflammation, there is poor-quality evidence that it reduces musculoskeletal pain.
LIMITATIONS
This narrative review is not systematic in nature; instead, it aims to provide a current update on the effect of various diet regimes, additions, and eliminations on chronic musculoskeletal pain. The studies in this review are limited in sample size, study period, and robust comparisons to controls. This review is limited to studies on patients with either rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia due to the lack of relevant literature on other musculoskeletal pain conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians can play a role in the well-being of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain through holistic interventions such as a dietary emphasis on plant-based regimes. Further research is necessary to elucidate the relationship between diet, inflammatory markers, and disease states, as well as the safety and contraindications of these dietary changes.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Pain; Diet; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Inflammation; Musculoskeletal Pain; Teas, Herbal
PubMed: 37976478
DOI: No ID Found -
Scientific Reports Jun 2023In the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the offering of a meat dish to guests is a deeply embedded cultural tradition, and a meat-based diet is the standard in...
In the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the offering of a meat dish to guests is a deeply embedded cultural tradition, and a meat-based diet is the standard in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the rise of veganism and vegetarianism within Saudi Arabia is surprising and worthy of attention, as is understanding the perceptions and motivations behind this phenomenon, particularly as they relate to food and sustainability. This research was designed to investigate this emerging phenomenon and to identify key differences in dietarian identity between Saudi vegetarians and vegans using Rosenfeld and Burrow's Dietarian Identity Questionnaire. Among other results, the vegan group scored significantly higher on the prosocial motivation construct, suggesting the desire to help society as a whole is a stronger motivating factor for vegans. As well, the vegan cohort scored higher in the personal motivation category. From an environmental and public health perspective, understanding the key factors motivating individuals to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet in a meat-based culture like Saudi Arabia can be used to encourage others to pursue more healthy and sustainable food behaviors.
Topics: Humans; Vegans; Diet, Vegan; Motivation; Feeding Behavior; Vegetarians; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet; Meat
PubMed: 37328535
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36980-x -
Nutrients Dec 2021Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and... (Review)
Review
Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and considerations about the current reserved position of the vegan diet in Slovenia. There is frequently confusion about the benefits of vegetarian diets that are often uncritically passed on to vegan diets and vice versa. This narrative review aims to serve as a framework for a well-designed vegan diet. We present advice on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the vegan diet and lifestyle. We highlight the proper terminology, present the health effects of a vegan diet and emphasize the nutrients of concern. In addition, we provide guidance for implementing a well-designed vegan diet in daily life. We conducted a PubMed search, up to November 2021, for studies on key nutrients (proteins, vitamin B, vitamin D, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium) in vegan diets. Given the limited amount of scientific evidence, we focus primarily on the general adult population. A well-designed vegan diet that includes a wide variety of plant foods and supplementation of vitamin B, vitamin D in the winter months and potentially EPA/DHA is safe and nutritionally adequate. It has the potential to maintain and/or to improve health. For physically active adult populations, athletes or individuals with fast-paced lifestyles, there is room for further appropriate supplementation of a conventional vegan diet according to individuals' health status, needs and goals without compromising their health. A healthy vegan lifestyle, as included in government guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, includes regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, restriction of alcohol and appropriate sleep hygiene.
Topics: Diet, Vegan; Humans; Nutrients; Nutritional Requirements; Slovenia; Vegans
PubMed: 34960098
DOI: 10.3390/nu13124545 -
Actas Dermo-sifiliograficas Apr 2024Numerous diets for losing weight, building strength, and managing a range of cardiovascular, neurologic, and skin diseases have become popular in recent years. The... (Review)
Review
Numerous diets for losing weight, building strength, and managing a range of cardiovascular, neurologic, and skin diseases have become popular in recent years. The ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting in particular have shown promising results in clinical and sports medicine. The Mediterranean diet, in turn, is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits. Also popular are the paleo diet and vegan and gluten-free diets. Positive effects on inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and acne, have been observed in patients who practice intermittent fasting or follow ketogenic or Mediterranean diets. This last choice may also protect against certain skin cancers. We review the role of several popular diets in the management of skin disorders.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Mediterranean; Skin
PubMed: 37884260
DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2023.10.015 -
European Endocrinology Aug 2019The Palaeolithic diet is designed to resemble that of human hunter-gatherer ancestors thousands to millions of years ago. This review summarises the evidence and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The Palaeolithic diet is designed to resemble that of human hunter-gatherer ancestors thousands to millions of years ago. This review summarises the evidence and clinical application of this diet in various disorders. An empiric vegan variant of it has been provided, keeping in mind vegan food habits.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
different types of Palaeolithic diets in vogue include the 80/20, the autoimmune, the lacto, the Palaeolithic vegan and the Palaeolithic ketogenic. We have developed an Indian variant of the Palaeolithic vegan diet, which excludes all animal-based foods. The Palaeolithic diet typically has low carbohydrate and lean protein of 30-35% daily caloric intake in addition to a fibre diet from non-cereal, plant-based sources, up to 45-100 g daily. In different observational studies, beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors have been documented with the Palaeolithic diet. Short-term randomised controlled trials have documented weight loss, and improved glycaemia and adipo-cytokine profiles. Few concerns of micronutrient deficiency (e.g. calcium) have been raised.
CONCLUSION
Initial data are encouraging with regard to the use of the Palaeolithic diet in managing diabesity. There is an urgent need for large randomised controlled trials to evaluate the role of the Palaeolithic diet with different anti-diabetes medications for glycaemic control and the reversal of type 2 diabetes.
PubMed: 31616497
DOI: 10.17925/EE.2019.15.2.77 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Nov 2023Vegan and vegetarian diets are widely supported and adopted, but individuals following such diets remain at greater risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vegan and vegetarian diets are widely supported and adopted, but individuals following such diets remain at greater risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the iodine intake and status in adults following a vegan or vegetarian diet in the modern day. A systematic review and quality assessment were conducted from October 2020 to December 2022 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidance. Studies were identified in Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Eleven articles were eligible for review containing 4421 adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Vegan groups had the lowest median urinary iodine concentration (mUIC) (12·2/l). None of the dietary groups had mUIC within the optimal range for iodine status (100-200 µg/l) (WHO). Vegan diets had the poorest iodine intake (17·3 µg/d) and were strongly associated with lower iodine intake ( = < 0·001) compared with omnivorous diets. Lower intake in vegan diets was influenced by sex ( = 0·007), the presence of voluntary or absence of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) programmes ( = 0·01 & = < 0·001), and living in a country with adequate iodine nutrition ( = < 0·001). Vegetarians and particularly vegans living in countries with no current USI programme continue to have increased risk of low iodine status, iodine deficiency and inadequate iodine intake. Further research into the usefulness of mandatory fortification of vegan appropriate foods is required.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Diet, Vegan; Vegans; Iodine; Diet, Vegetarian; Nutritional Status; Vegetarians
PubMed: 36912094
DOI: 10.1017/S000711452300051X -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relation between the choice of a vegan or vegetarian diet as a criterion of sustainability and the aspect of...
BACKGROUND
The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relation between the choice of a vegan or vegetarian diet as a criterion of sustainability and the aspect of heartfulness. We also analyzed which demographic, diet-related, and mindfulness practice-related variables could predict the different facets of heartfulness.
METHODS
In total, 419 persons participated. After providing demographic, diet-related, and mindfulness practice-related information, participants completed a gratitude questionnaire, a self-compassion scale, a compassion scale, and an equanimity scale.
RESULTS
The results show that vegans and vegetarians indicated higher scores than omnivores in some aspects of heartfulness, such as both self-compassion scales. These effects could not be shown for the two equanimity scales and for the gratitude questionnaire. Most aspects of heartfulness could either be predicted by demographic or diet-related variables. The best predictors of the elements of heartfulness were the ecological, ethical, or health-related reasons for choosing their diet stated by the participants, as well as the importance the participants attached to nutrition.
CONCLUSION
This study provides evidence that vegans and vegetarians scored higher in several aspects of heartfulness. Vegans tended to score even higher than vegetarians. Both demographic and diet-related variables could predict heartfulness.
Topics: Humans; Vegans; Vegetarians; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet
PubMed: 36981851
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064943 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jul 2023Coronary artery disease (CAD), a primary component of cardiovascular diseases, is one of the top contributors to mortality rates worldwide. In 2021, dietary risk was... (Review)
Review
Coronary artery disease (CAD), a primary component of cardiovascular diseases, is one of the top contributors to mortality rates worldwide. In 2021, dietary risk was estimated to be attributed to 6.58 million cardiovascular deaths. Plant-based diets (PBDs), which encourage higher consumption of plant foods and lower intake of animal-based foods, have been shown to reduce the risk of CAD by up to 29% when compared to non-vegetarian diets in a meta-analysis. This article aims to summarize the array of PBDs and compare them with conventional Western diets that include meat. We review the various proposed mechanisms for how the bioactive nutrients of PBDs aid in preventing atherosclerosis and CAD events, as well as other cardiac diseases. We conducted a detailed search of PubMed using our exclusive search strategy using the keywords plant-based diet, vegan diet, phytosterols, CAD, myocardial ischemia, and atherosclerosis. A total of 162 pertinent articles published within the past decade were identified for qualitative synthesis. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of our review, we included a total of 55 full-text, peer-reviewed articles that demonstrated the effects of plant-based diets on CAD and were written in English. We excluded animal studies, or molecular studies, and non-original data like editorials, letters, protocols, and conference abstracts. In this article, we emphasize the importance of dietary interventions, such as PBDs, to prevent CAD and their benefits on environmental sustainability. Integrating plant foods and whole grains into one's daily eating habits leads to an increase in the intake of nutrient-rich foods while reducing the consumption of processed food could not only prevent millions of premature deaths but also provide prevention against many chronic gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases.
PubMed: 37583985
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i20.4752