Whole-food Plant-based Research Articles

Low dietary sodium potentially mediates COVID-19 prevention associated with whole-food plant-based diets.

Compared with an omnivorous Western diet, plant-based diets containing mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, with restricted amounts of foods of animal origin, are associated with reduced risk and severity of COVID-19. Additionally, inflammatory immune responses and severe acute respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, including pulmonary oedema, shortness of breath, fever and nasopharyngeal infections, are associated with Na toxicity from excessive dietary Na. High dietary Na is also associated with increased risks of diseases and conditions that are co-morbid with COVID-19, including chronic kidney disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity. This article presents evidence that low dietary Na potentially mediates the association of plant-based diets with COVID-19 prevention. Processed meats and poultry injected with sodium chloride contribute considerable amounts of dietary Na in the Western diet, and the avoidance or reduction of these and other processed foods in whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diets could help lower overall dietary Na intake. Moreover, high amounts of K in plant-based diets increase urinary Na excretion, and preagricultural diets high in plant-based foods were estimated to contain much lower ratios of dietary Na to K compared with modern diets. Further research should investigate low Na in WFPB diets for protection against COVID-19 and co-morbid conditions.

A whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) dietary intervention to improve cancer-related and cardiometabolic outcomes in metastatic breast cancer patients.

e24116 Background: Obesity rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years. Breast cancer treatment is associated with additional weight gain, and among patients with breast cancer, obesity and weight gain are associated with negative outcomes such as reduced progression-free and overall survival due to cardiometabolic co-morbidities. New evidence suggests that cardiometabolic comorbidities themselves can further accelerate breast cancer progression. We used a WFPB dietary intervention because it results in significant weight loss and larger improvements in cardiometabolic outcomes than a traditional, calorie-restricted omnivore diet. Methods: Patients with stage 4 breast cancer receiving treatment were randomized 2:1 into: 1) a WFPB dietary intervention (N = 19) or 2) usual care (N = 9) for 8 weeks with assessments at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. Our WFPB diet consisted of education and an ad libitum whole-food, plant-based diet; 3 prepared meals a day were provided to WFPB subjects for the duration of the trial. The diet included fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts/seeds and excluded meat, dairy, and eggs. Outcomes include compliance, weight, cardiometabolic outcomes, and cancer progression markers. Effects of the WFPB on the outcomes were assessed by comparing marginal means by arm estimated at 8 weeks from the analysis of covariance model controlling for baseline. Results: Dietary compliance was high, with 95% of WFPB subjects consuming ≥80% of their calories from “on plan” foods. The WFPB group (mean baseline BMI = 31.6 kg/m2), on average, lost 6.7% (p < 0.01) of their total body weight. Adjusting for baseline weight, the WFPB group lost 8.9 lbs. more (p < 0.01) and 5.8% more of their total body weight (p < 0.01) than the control group. Conclusions: Our WFPB dietary intervention resulted in clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in weight and cardiometabolic outcomes, with a trend towards improving a clinically used cancer progression marker. Larger studies with longer interventions are needed to confirm these findings and investigate the sustainability of the benefits. Clinical trial information: NCT03045289. [Table: see text]

Adherence, Compliance, and Diet Quality Among Popular Diet Followers

Objectives1. To compare diet quality of vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diets; 2. To examine how adherence varies by diet and relates to quality and diet duration; 3. To examine how compliance varies by diet and relates to quality, adherence, and duration. MethodsAnalysis was conducted on a subsample of ADAPT participants (n = 1392) who completed a demographics and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ; DHQ-II). After excluding implausible energy intake (600 ≤ KCAL < 5,000), the final sample was 1291 (vegan [n = 355]; vegetarian [n = 90]; WFPB [n = 710]; paleo [n = 136]). Diet quality was measured with HEI and AHEI. Duration was categorized as short [<2 years (n = 501)]; moderate [2 to <7 y (n = 200)]; and long-term [7–10 + y (n = 592)]. A self-report adherence score was derived from questions targeting commitment to diet, ranging from 0–32. Compliance score for each diet was derived from reported intakes and DHQ-II (i.e., diet-specific restrictions), and data were %-based standardized. Models were adjusted for age and sex; select models were adjusted for diet duration. ResultsMean (SD) HEI score was high in all plant-based diets, highest for WFPB 76.7(5.8), vegan 75.7 (6.5), vegetarian 72.6 (9.2), compared to paleo 62.5 (8.5); and with a similar ranking for AHEI. Vegans had highest mean adherence 23.5 (2.8) and paleos the lowest 20.0 (3.3). Vegetarians had highest mean compliance 71% (9) and WFPB lowest 53% (10). Compliance was positively associated with HEI score for WFPB and vegan with one percentage point of compliance associated with a 6.4-point increase in HEI for WFPB (SE ± 2, p < .004) and 17.1 for vegan (SE ± 4, p < .0001). For every point increase in compliance, adherence improved (5.4 ± 0.8, p < .0001) in the full sample, and by diet group. Diet duration was significantly associated with adherence in all but vegetarian. No relationship was observed between duration and compliance within diet. ConclusionsWFPB and vegan diets had the highest diet quality; all four had higher mean HEI than reported average in US adults (HEI = 59). Findings suggest that even imperfect compliance to plant-based diets is associated with greater diet quality. Diet adherence is a complex component of eating behavior, however reported adherence appears to predict higher compliance and longer maintenance. Funding SourcesUSDA Cooperative Agreements; NIFA National Needs Fellowship.

Healthy From the Start-Lifestyle Interventions in Early Childhood.

Lifestyle interventions are effective from the earliest years of childhood. To best promote health, lifestyle factors should be implemented for children and their families from birth. This includes introducing families to the benefits of a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) or plant-predominant diet, daily physical activity, positive family and peer social connections, avoidance of risky substances for caregivers, optimal sleep habits, and stress management and mindfulness for all family members. Through attention to these six pillars of lifestyle medicine, children and their families can succeed in initiating and maintaining optimal lifelong physical and mental health.

Ongoing Community-Based Whole-Food, Plant-Based Lifestyle Effectively Preserves Muscle Mass during Body Mass Loss

Body fat and muscle mass showed opposing associations with mortality. The results of research on the effectiveness of popular body mass (BM) loss diets in obese subjects showed 20 to 30% loss of muscle mass within the total BM loss; conversely, when the subjects used a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet, the loss was up to 42%. Therefore, we suggest an improvement. The aim of this retrospective analysis of data was to examine the assessment of changes in the body composition of 217 participants from all over Slovenia who joined our ongoing, community-based WFPB lifestyle programme from 2016 to 2021 and underwent two successive measurements of medically approved bioelectrical impedance. The WFPB lifestyle programme consisted of (i) nutrition, (ii) physical activity (PA) and (iii) a support system. The primary outcomes included the (vector of) change of body fat mass (BFM) per body height (BH), fat-free mass (FFM) per BH and whole-body phase angle (PhA) from the initial values to the first follow-up (FU) of the whole sample and for both sexes. Further, we examined the FFM change within the total BM loss according to their BMI classification and depending on how much BM they lost (5 kg &lt; BM ≥ 5 kg) within the FU time (103.6 ± 89.8 day). Participants experienced a decrease in BFM per BH (−0.02 ± 0.02 kg/cm, p &lt; 0.001), no change in FFM and an increase in PhA (0.2 ± 0.7°, p &lt; 0.001). Importantly, the participants in the obesity BMI class achieved only partial FFM preservation (−1.5 ± 3.6 kg, p = 0.032 of FFM loss (20%) within −7.5 ± 6.1 kg, p &lt; 0.001 of BM loss). However, the participants who lost BM &lt; 5 kg had a significantly increased FFM (0.8 ± 3.2 kg, p = 0.001 of FFM (57%) within −1.4 ± 1.8 kg, p &lt; 0.001 of BM loss), whereas the participants who lost BM ≥ 5 kg experienced a decrease in FFM (−2.2 ± 3.9 kg, p &lt; 0.001 of FFM (−25%) within −8.8 ± 5.2 kg, p &lt; 0.001 of BM loss). To conclude, the WFPB lifestyle, on average, effectively preserved FFM during BM and/or BFM loss among the normal and pre-obesity BMI classes but only partially among the obese BMI class and those who lost ≥ 5 kg of BM. Importantly, a customized PA strategy is needed for obese BMI class participants, where general resistance training is not possible or safe in order to preserve their muscle mass more effectively. In addition, muscle mass preservation is important for further improvements of BM, body composition and visual body image.

Good for the planet and good for our health: the evidence for whole-food plant-based diets

There is growing interest in the health and environmental benefits of whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diets. The current global food system is harmful to our planet and is a key driver of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. A transition to WFPB diets will mitigate against these impacts and potentially reduce agriculture greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. Emerging evidence suggests that such diets also have significant physical and mental health benefits and can be useful in preventing and treating a range of conditions. Psychiatrists therefore have an important role to play in promoting WFPB diets among patients.

Culturally Tailoring Plant-Based Nutrition Interventions for Hispanic/Latino Adults at Risk for or With Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrative Review.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevalence continues to increase among Hispanic/Latino adults. The purpose of this study was to explore and analyze literature on culturally tailored nutrition interventions to identify how to best implement a whole food plant-based (WFPB) culinary intervention to improve health outcomes for Hispanic/Latino adults at risk for developing or diagnosed with T2DM. Methods: A methodological review was performed by searching PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer-reviewed articles in English, from January 2009 to January 2020, using the search terms: "Hispanic adults or Latino adults", "culturally tailored or ethnic", "diabetes", "dietary or nutrition", "intervention", and "vegan or plant based". Studies included adults at risk for/diagnosed with T2DM. Results: Of 1,474 articles retrieved, 15 met the inclusion criteria. Four main themes were identified: participant interest, feasibility of intervention, development and implementation of intervention, and impact of the intervention. Conclusion: Further research should focus on culturally tailored nutrition interventions and use of a WFPB diet to reduce risk for T2DM in Hispanic/Latino adults. Continued discussion should be patient- and community-centered to promote equity, health, and disease prevention through the use of culturally tailored methods and design, not only limited to curriculum and language.

Five-Month Trial of Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet in a Patient With Coexisting Myasthenia Gravis and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome.

Introduction: Nutritional intervention, such as a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet, is suggested to improve symptoms of autoimmune disorders. Its effects on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) diseases are less known. Case Description: A 56-year-old female with a combined myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome presented with persistent musculoskeletal weakness and pain, fatigue, and diminished concentration. Methods: A WFPB diet was implemented for 5 months in this case study. Functionality, biometrics, and quality of life were assessed at regular intervals via blood work, vital signs, and patient surveys. Results: After 10 weeks, 2 medications were de-prescribed due to improvement in blood glucose levels and blood pressure readings. Neuromuscular symptoms lessened as measured by the Myasthenia Gravis Illness Index. Weight loss of 18.7 pounds was achieved. No deterioration in physical activity was reported throughout the 5-month trial of WFPB diet. Discussion: Our results have implications that an individualized dietary strategy may be considered as one component of management of NMJ diseases. The effects of WFPB diet on NMJ diseases remain inconclusive.

A whole-food plant-based experiential education program for health care providers results in personal and professional changes.

Diet-related diseases are the primary contributor to morbidity and mortality. The risk for these diseases can be reduced with a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet, but most people are never counseled on this dietary pattern. An experiential education program was designed and conducted in which sample of 30 nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and physicians learned about and followed a WFPB diet for 3 weeks. The objective was for the health care providers to increase their knowledge and acceptance of WFPB diets and increase their likelihood of counseling patients on this dietary pattern. Participants completed preintervention and postintervention questionnaires assessing dietary intake, knowledge, weight, mood, energy, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and likelihood of continuing to follow, or counsel patients about a WFPB diet. Participants decreased intake of animal-derived foods, increased intake of WFPB foods, had improvements in mood and energy, and lost weight. Perceived barriers to following and counseling about a WFPB diet declined and self-efficacy improved. Participants were likely to continue a WFPB diet and discuss the diet with their patients. The three-week intervention changed providers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes about WFPB diets. If nurse practitioners and other providers accept WFPB diets, more patients may be educated on this dietary pattern, helping to reduce the burden of diet-related chronic diseases.

Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program and Decreased Obesity.

Failure of weight-loss programs is high. We evaluated a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle program. We investigated the obesity indices of 151 healthy adults who were on our ongoing, community-based program for the short (0.5 to ≤2 years), medium (2 to ≤5 years), or long term (5 to 10 years). Body composition indices were measured by medically approved bioimpedance. Body composition changes were favorable for all 3 groups and both genders. There were no differences in body composition between the males for all 3 groups, while there were lower body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), and muscle mass in females on long-term versus short-term programs. All participants experienced a decrease in BMI (-2.5 kg/m2), BM (-7.1 kg), and body fat percentage (-6.4%; P < .001 for all). The reductions for those with a baseline BMI of obese, overweight, and normal were -5.6, -2.4, and -0.9 kg/m2 for BMI, -16.1, -7.1, and -2.5 kg for total BM, and -9.5%, -6.6%, and -4.8% for body fat percentage (baseline vs current; P < .001 for all). A total of 86% of parents of underage children introduced the WFPB lifestyle to children. Our WFPB lifestyle program provides a long-term reversal of obesity.

Characteristics of Slovenian Adults in Community-Based Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program.

Objective Adopting a plant-based diet (PBD) and lifestyle is healthy, sustainable, and increasingly popular, while also demanding. Individuals might face challenges to maintain this lifestyle. We aimed to determine the anthropometric values and lifestyle factors and motives of adults to adopt a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle by joining our ongoing, community-based, WFPB lifestyle program 0.5–10 years ago. Methods We measured body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage status (BF%) using bioimpedance. Lifestyle status was obtained by standardized electronic questionnaires. For evaluating the motives for following strict PBD, the participants were asked to rank 8 different motives (i.e., 8: the most-, 1: the least important). Setting. A cross-sectional study in Slovenia. Participants. A total of 151 healthy adults with an average age of 39.6 years (SD: 12.5 years). Results The participants had an average BMI of 23.9 kg/m2 (SD: 3.8 kg/m2) and an average BF% of 22.3% (SD: 7.3%), were physically very active, with an average Long International Physical Activity Questionnaire (L-IPAQ) score of 5541.2 metabolic equivalents (METs) min/week (SD: 4677.0 METs min/week), having good sleep quality, with an average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of 2.7 (SD: 1.8), perceiving low stress, and with an average Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) score of 0.29 (SD: 0.1). We discovered no significant differences in lifestyle between participants who were involved in our WFPB lifestyle program for short, medium, or long periods of time. The motives for WFPB lifestyle included health benefits (score: 7.9/8), body mass management (6.3), eating to satiety (4.9), convenience (4.3), environmental concerns (4.1), affordability (3.7), animal ethics (3.6), and religious reasons (1.1). Conclusion A WFPB lifestyle program for any length of time that includes an extensive support system provides favorable, long-term lifestyle changes.

Participant characteristics and self-reported weight status in a cross-sectional pilot survey of self-identified followers of popular diets: Adhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) Feasibility Survey.

To describe characteristics of self-identified popular diet followers and compare mean BMI across these diets, stratified by time following diet. Cross-sectional, web-based survey administered in 2015. Non-localised, international survey. Self-selected followers of popular diets (n 9019) were recruited to the survey via social media and email announcements by diet community leaders, categorised into eight major diet groups. General linear models were used to compare mean BMI among (1) short-term (<1 year) and long-term (≥1 year) followers within diet groups and (2) those identifying as 'try to eat healthy' (TTEH) to all other diet groups, stratified by time following the specific diet. Participants were 82 % female, 93 % White and 96 % non-Hispanic. Geometric mean BMI was lower (P < 0·05 for all) among longer-term followers (≥1 year) of whole food, plant-based (WFPB), vegan, whole food and low-carb diets compared with shorter-term followers. Among those following their diet for 1-5 years (n 4067), geometric mean BMI (kg/m2) were lower (P < 0·05 for all) for all groups compared with TTEH (26·4 kg/m2): WFPB (23·2 kg/m2), vegan (23·5 kg/m2), Paleo (24·6 kg/m2), vegetarian (25·0 kg/m2), whole food (24·6 kg/m2), Weston A. Price (23·5 kg/m2) and low-carb (24·7 kg/m2). Our findings suggest that BMI is lower among individuals who made active decisions to adhere to a specific diet, particularly more plant-based diets and/or diets limiting highly processed foods, compared with those who simply TTEH. BMI is also lower among individuals who follow intentional eating plans for longer time periods.

Nutrient and Food Intake of Participants in a Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program

Objective We evaluated the nutrient adequacy of a well-planned supplemented whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet as a component of an ongoing community lifestyle optimization program. We investigated the contributions of nutrients from foods and supplements and plant-based meal replacement (SMR) separately (foods, SMR) and combined (vs recommendations) as well as food group intake, both according to sex. Method Our cross-sectional study included 151 healthy, active participants (aged 39.6 years) who were on a Western-type diet when they voluntarily joined our WFPB lifestyle program (0.5–10 years ago). We assessed diet using 3-day weighed dietary records (foods, S, and MR). After we standardized nutrient intake to 2000 kcal/d, we calculated the contribution of macro- and micronutrients from foods and SMR separately and combined (foods + SMR) (vs central European Recommendations), as well as food group intake, both according to sex. Results All macro- and micronutrient intake (total: from foods plus SMR) exceeded the reference values, except for calcium (95% and 82% in females and males) and vitamin D (both sexes, in summertime). Compared with male participants, female participants consumed (i.e., from foods and SMR together) significantly larger amounts of 23 (/25) micronutrients (8 [/25] from foods and 22 [/25] from SMR). The diet was primarily composed of the following (by mass in descending order): unprocessed vegetables/fruits, whole grains, legumes, potatoes, nuts/seeds, MR, and spices/herbs. Conclusions Participants in our WFPB lifestyle program ingested a nutrient-rich WFPB diet and targeted supplementation. The presented ongoing community WFPB lifestyle program ensures a healthy, balanced, and environment-friendly dietary pattern for participants who are compliant.

Pilot Study on the Effects of a Plant-Strong Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Veterans (Part 1)

Abstract Objectives A short-term intervention designed to test the feasibility of Veterans to adopt a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet has not been tested. The specific aims of this study were to (1) determine the feasibility of Veterans adopting a WFPB diet within four weeks, following a plant-strong protocol, (2) determine the effectiveness on participant's cardiovascular risk factors and dietary patterns and (3) compare the results to Veterans following the American Heart Association or Diabetic Diets. Methods Prospective, nonrandomized, pilot study of overweight or obese hyperlipidemic Veterans naive to lipid lowering drugs. The first 4 participants were assigned the control group, the next 6 were assigned the intervention. Participants in the control group who met inclusion/exclusion criteria after completion of control intervention could cross-over into the intervention group. The intervention was a four-week program which included individual education on a WFBP diet, (including menu planning and making grocery lists), a grocery store tour, cooking skills, substitutions and food preparation, and challenges dining out. Participants in the control arm received the standard of care. Anthropometrics, biochemical measures, and dietary intake patterns were obtained at baseline and five weeks. Results Eight male Veterans (mean 57 years old) completed the study, (n = 4 control, n = 6 intervention, 2 crossed over). Ability to adopt a WFBP diet was 83%. Data from diet adopters were compared to the control. Both groups had a significant decrease in LDL from baseline (12% control and 19% in intervention, P = 0.04 each). Veterans in the intervention group had a significant decrease in weight (3%, P = 0.04) and reported: gassiness, better digestion, more energy and better sleep. Conclusions Veterans were able to adopt a WFBP diet and experienced a favorable change in LDL cholesterol. Resources needed to conduct the intervention preclude widespread implementation. Further research is needed to determine if less resource intensive programs are feasible and effective for long-term sustainability and determine which Veterans may benefit most. Funding Sources Carl T Hayden Medical Research Foundation.

Ameliorating Chronic Kidney Disease Using a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet.

Novel approaches to ameliorating chronic kidney disease (CKD) are warranted as most patients are undiagnosed until they begin displaying symptoms of kidney failure. There is increasing evidence that a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet may offer benefits that slow the progression of CKD, decrease the incidence cardiovascular disease, decrease rates of diabetes and obesity, and reduce inflammation and cholesterol, which in turn can delay kidney failure and the initiation of dialysis. While animal-based protein ingestion promotes an acidic environment, inflammation and renal hyperfiltration, study authors report plant-based protein can be alkaline-producing and anti-inflammatory and can contain renoprotective properties. Although there may be benefits to adopting a WFPB diet, macronutrient and micronutrient content should be carefully considered and adjusted to avoid malnutrition in CKD patients. Further research needs to be done in order to establish the biological plausibility and feasibility of a WFPB in individuals with diagnosed CKD.

AN INVESTIGATION OF PLANT-BASED, MEDITERRANEAN, PALEOLITHIC, AND DASH DIETS STUDY IN COMPARISON (VA BEACH DIET STUDY)

The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased over the last 25 years has become a public health priority, especially its prevention through lifestyle interventions. Many studies have reported that higher adherence to Mediterranean, vegan or whole-food, plant based (WFPB) diets may

CRT-400.01 An Investigation of Plant-Based, Mediterranean, Paleolithic, and DASH Diets Study (The VA Beach Diet Study)

The rising incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the last 25 years has become a public health priority, especially its prevention through lifestyle interventions. Many studies have reported that higher adherence to Mediterranean, vegan or whole-food, plant based (WFPB) diets may decrease

Dietary Intakes and Cardiovascular Health of Healthy Adults in Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program.

An effective lifestyle strategy to reduce cardiovascular diseases risk (CVD) factors is needed. We examined the effects of a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle program on dietary intake and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in 151 adults (mean 39.6 (SD 12.5) years). Adherence was categorised into short-, medium- and long-term (years: (0.5–<2), (2–<5) and (5–10)), for both genders separately. Dietary intakes were assessed, fasting blood lipids and blood pressure (BP) were measured, and % participants reaching guideline recommended targets for LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and BP in the primary CVD prevention was assessed. There were no statistically significant differences in intakes of energy and most nutrients among participants (both genders), that were short-, medium- and long term in our program. Diet was mainly composed of unprocessed vegetables/fruits, whole grains, legumes, potatoes, and nuts/seeds. LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic BP were within targets for: 93%, 97%, 88% and 95% participants, respectively. In females (vs. males), total- and HDL-cholesterol were higher (mean): 3.8 (SD 0.7) vs. 3.4 (SD 0.9), p = 0.002 and 1.5 (SD 0.3) vs. 1.1 (SD 0.2) mmol/L, p < 0.001), systolic BP was lower (113 (SD 11) vs. 120 (SD 10) mmHg, p = 0.001), while there was no difference in diastolic BP (71 (SD 9) vs. 72 (SD 8) mmHg, p = 0.143). More females vs. males reached target triglycerides (99% vs. 91%, p = 0.021) and systolic BP (92% vs. 79%, p = 0.046), while similar females and males reached target LDL-cholesterol (94% vs. 91%, p = 0.500) and diastolic BP (93% vs. 100%, p = 0.107). Participation in our WFPB lifestyle program is associated with favourable dietary intakes, safety markers, and CV risk factor profiles.

Reversal of Pulmonary Hypertension, Diabetes, and Retinopathy after Adoption of a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet

BACKGROUND: The whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet has been shown to be successful in reversing and preventing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancers. Here we report a case study of a patient showing significant reversal of both pulmonary hypertension (PH) and retinopathy, and total reversal of type 2 diabetes. This occurred 15 months after switching from a flexitarian diet to a WFPB diet. Furthermore, these reversals have now been maintained for a period of over six years without the use of targeted pharmaceutical interventions nor daytime oxygen. In particular, the patient’s six-minute walk test (6MWT) mean distance, visual acuity, and A1c measurements changed from 220 m, 20/200 ft and 15% respectively within three months of PH diagnosis to 409 m, 20/46 ft and 5.6% at 15 months after commencement of the WFPB diet. A total of 6 right heart catheterization procedures were performed: her mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was 55 mmHg on the day of diagnosis and her last mPAP measurement was 40 mmHg, which was taken towards the beginning of the WFPB diet period. The reversals reported herein have been now maintained for a period of 6 years, without the use of targeted pharmaceuticals nor daytime oxygen. Although the patient was treated to several combinations PH drug interventions, spanning all three available biological pathways for promoting vasodilation, none of these combinations of drugs was as effective as the WFPB diet alone on her quality of life.CASE HISTORY: A 51-year-old Caucasian female voluntarily admitted herself in February 2007 to a local acute care facility exhibiting symptoms of type 2 diabetes, significant edema in her lower extremities; dyspnea at rest with exertion and during sleep, recurrent syncope, and neuropathic pain in both feet. Immediately after admission, the patient was treated with metformin and replaglinide to control her diabetes. In December 2007, the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and commenced a series of targeted therapeutic drug interventions to treat her IPAH while consuming a flexitarian diet. None of these drug combinations was successful in improving her 6MWT result beyond 369m. After commencing two of thepharmaceutical interventions she experienced adverse side effects: loss of visual acuity to the point of legal blindness, 80 lb of fluid retention within 2 months. After five years post diagnosis of IPAH, the patient commenced consuming a WFPB diet that resulted in the disease reversals detailed above.CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a WFPB diet resulted in better treatment outcomes for IPAH, retinopathy, and type 2 diabetes for the patient in this study compared with targeted drug interventions. is observation adds credence to the hypothesis that a WFPB diet is a viable method of ameliorating symptoms for PH patients. It is also consistent with recent animal model studies on ameliorating PH with consumption of dietary nitrates and a short-term clinical trial. While these data are hypothesis generating, a prospective clinical trial, including both 6MWT and cardiopulmonary hemodynamic measurements, is needed to fully demonstrate the efficacy of a WFPB diet on PH patient health.

Motivations to Adopt Plant-Based Diets: Data from the Adhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) Study (P16-024-19)

ObjectivesTo examine the differences in key motivations to adopt a dietary pattern (1) between self-reported plant-based diet followers and omnivores, and (2) among three types of plant-based diet followers: whole food, plant-based (WFPB), vegan, and vegetarian+pescatarian. MethodsAdhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) is an online survey that recruits followers of popular diets. Of the 2010 enrolled participants, 1227 participants described their diet as plant-based, either WFPB (n = 705), vegan (n = 388), vegetarian (n = 103), or pescatarian (n = 31). The remaining 783 participants were categorized as omnivores. A multiple choice question with a free text option prompted participants to indicate their reasons for adhering to their self-identified dietary pattern, and a follow-up question asked them to rank their key motivations for adherence. The percentage of participants who chose each response as one of their top 2 key motivators was tabulated within each dietary pattern. Logistic regression, adjusted for age and gender, was used to compare the prevalence of top reasons among dietary patterns. The results were considered significant if <P = 0.05 after Bonferroni correction. ResultsThe majority of both plant-based diet followers (79%) and of omnivores (83%) identified disease prevention and overall wellness as top motivations for following their dietary patterns. Significantly more plant-based diet followers, versus omnivores, chose helping the environment (17% vs. 4%) and supporting animal welfare (28% vs. 1%). Significantly more omnivores chose enjoyment (39% vs. 26%) and the need to address a specific health concern (44% vs. 29%). Significantly more WFPB followers (87%) chose disease prevention and overall wellness compared to vegans (71%) and vegetarians+pescatarians (66%). Significantly more vegans (47%) and vegetarians+pescatarians (33%) chose animal welfare than WFPB followers (15%). ConclusionsThe dietary motivations of plant-based diet followers are more diverse compared to those of omnivores. Among plant-based diet followers, WFPB followers often chose health motivations, and vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians often chose ethical motivations. Funding SourcesThe Lisa Wendel Memorial Foundation, Tufts Collaborates Seed Grant, Tufts Summer Scholars Grant, and USDA ARS agreement No. 58-1950-4-003.