Dietary pattern, body composition, metabolic markers, and skin physiology

Abstract

Dietary patterns have been linked to differences in cardiovascular physiology, metabolic markers, and ahealthy skin condition.. However, published evidence on these issues is still insufficient and often controversial. This study aimed to identify differences in total body composition, biochemical markers, and skin physiology among omnivorous (OM) and vegetarian (VG) individuals. Participants (n=176, both sexes, mean age 31yo) included 115 OM and 61 VG. Body composition was assessed by absorptiometry (DXA Lunar-GE Healthcare®) and metabolic markers measured from capillary blood sampling (LINX DUO, Menarini). Skin physiology, regarded as an indicator of health, was assessed by transepidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter® CK electronics), hydration (Moisturemeter® DTec), and biomechanics (Cutometer® CK electronics) in five anatomical sites (forehead, cheek, neck, hand, and leg). No significant differences were observed between groups for any body composition variables although VG participants showed higher levels of Visceral (VAT) and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue (SAT). The OM group presented significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol, and VAT was positively correlated (p<0.05) with all the biomarkers evaluated. Meanwhile, in the VG group (a) higher levels of fat mass were statistically correlated with higher levels of Hemoglobin A1c, LDL-cholesterol, and Non-HDL-cholesterol; (b) VAT was positively correlated with triglycerides/HDL ratio, Non-HDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure; and (c) SAT was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol, and positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. Prospective (10 year) cardiovascular risk calculations were considerably higher in OM participants compared to VG (2.17 vs. 1.06 points). Noteworthy, the VG participants were more active physically than the OM, and reported diets of lower energetic density, protein, saturated fat, and cholesterol, with higher contents of fiber and complex carbohydrates and sugars. VG participants have shown a higher TEWL, hydration, elasticity, and skin carotenoid content. Correlation analysis regarding VAT, SAT, and skin parameters showed a significant positive correlation between TEWL, hydration, and skin elasticity, and a negative correlation with skin retraction (after creep). These results suggest that some composition features, cardiovascular risk, and skin physiology differ between VG and OM individuals and might be related to their dietary patterns. This research is funded by Fundação Ciência Tecnologia (FCT) by grant UIDB/04567/2020. C.F.-P. and R.M. are supported by the Science Employment Stimulus program from FCT. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.