A very-low-fat vegan diet increases intake of protective dietary factors and decreases intake of pathogenic dietary factors.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a very-low-fat vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes could increase protective dietary factors and decrease pathogenic dietary factors in early-stage prostate cancer patients.
Results Summary
The study found that the vegan diet significantly increased intake of protective nutrients (e.g., fiber, lycopene) and significantly decreased intake of pathogenic factors (e.g., saturated fatty acids, cholesterol) compared to usual care. These changes suggest the diet may help mitigate chronic disease risk factors.
Population
Early-stage prostate cancer patients (n=93).
Effective Dosage
Very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein (specific dosage not detailed).
Duration
1 year.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | increase | fiber | early-stage prostate cancer patients | from a mean of 31 to 59 g/day | significantly increased intake | #1 |
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | increase | lycopene | early-stage prostate cancer patients | from 8,693 to 34,464 mug/day | significantly increased intake | #2 |
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | decrease | saturated fatty acids | early-stage prostate cancer patients | from 20 to 5 g/day | significantly decreased intake | #3 |
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | decrease | cholesterol | early-stage prostate cancer patients | from 200 to 10 mg/day | significantly decreased intake | #4 |
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | increase | most protective dietary factors | early-stage prostate cancer patients | - | significantly increased intake | #5 |
very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes | decrease | most pathogenic dietary factors | early-stage prostate cancer patients | - | significantly decreased intake | #6 |
There is increasing evidence that dietary factors in plant-based diets are important in the prevention of chronic disease. This study examined protective (eg, antioxidant vitamins, carotenoids, and fiber) and pathogenic (eg, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol) dietary factors in a very-low-fat vegan diet. Ninety-three early-stage prostate cancer patients participated in a randomized controlled trial and were assigned to a very-low-fat (10% fat) vegan diet supplemented with soy protein and lifestyle changes or to usual care. Three-day food records were collected at baseline (n=42 intervention, n=43 control) and after 1 year (n=37 in each group). Analyses of changes in dietary intake of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and isoflavones from baseline to 1 year showed significantly increased intake of most protective dietary factors (eg, fiber increased from a mean of 31 to 59 g/day, lycopene increased from 8,693 to 34,464 mug/day) and significantly decreased intake of most pathogenic dietary factors (eg, saturated fatty acids decreased from 20 to 5 g/day, cholesterol decreased from 200 to 10 mg/day) in the intervention group compared to controls. These results suggest that a very-low-fat vegan diet can be useful in increasing intake of protective nutrients and phytochemicals and minimizing intake of dietary factors implicated in several chronic diseases.