Pilot Study on the Effects of a Whole-Food, Plant-Strong Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Veterans: Part 3

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ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary test of the effectiveness of two on-line nutrition programs to promote adoption of a whole-food, plant-strong diet (PSD), and reduce specific cardiovascular risk factors, and plaque inflammation in Veterans. MethodsA 12 month prospective randomized trial design was used to pilot this comparison. Veterans with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or overweight/obesity, and an interest and desire to make a lifestyle change were recruited. Veterans were randomized 2:1 into treatment (Culinary Rx: CRx) and control (TeleMOVE! : TM) arms. Baseline anthropometrics, biochemistries, and dietary patterns were measured. Dietary patterns were collected using 3-day food records and the 4Leaf survey (developed specifically for estimating the percentage of calories from whole, plant-based foods). Measures were repeated at 3, 6 and 12 months. ResultsData are reported as mean and standard deviation, unless otherwise stated. Ninety-two Veterans, 66 males and 26 females (77% Caucasian, 15% African American) were randomized; 49 completed the entire study. There was no significant difference in age (60 ± 13 vs. 64 ± 11, P = 0.168) or baseline values (e.g., BMI: 35 ± 5 vs 35 ± 4, P = 0.899; HbA1c: 6.3 ± 1.0 vs. 6.4 ± 1.0, P = 0.564) between Veterans enrolled in CRx vs. TM, respectively. More females were enrolled in the CRx vs. TM (34% vs. 8%, P = 0.01). Veterans enrolled in CRx lost an average of 3.5% of body weight compared to a 1.7% loss for those enrolled in TM (P = 0.014) over 1 year. Both groups reported a significant increase in the % calories ingested from whole plant foods over time (p < 0.0001), but this increase was greater in the CRx group (p = .0015). The baseline % consumption of whole plant foods was 10–19%. This changed to 40–59% in CRx and 20–39% in TM. LDL, HDL, triglycerides and HbA1c were similar at baseline in both groups, and did not change over time. ConclusionsThe Culinary Rx program was more effective in promoting adoption of a whole-food, plant-strong diet and greater weight loss over 12 months in Veterans than the current VA standard of care on-line program, TeleMOVE!. Although there was no significant change in LDL, baseline levels were already low due to most Veterans’ receiving lipid lowering medications. Funding SourcesRouxbe Online Cooking School.