Summary
Several studies have shown the benefits of a vegan diet for weight loss and improved health outcomes. A low-fat vegan diet has been found to lead to greater weight loss compared to a Mediterranean diet, potentially due to differences in gut microbiome composition. Similarly, a vegan diet has been shown to be more effective in achieving weight loss and better nutrient intake profile for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Additionally, a low-carbohydrate vegan diet showed better lipid-lowering advantages and improved heart disease risk factors than a high-carbohydrate, low-fat weight loss diet. Preliminary evidence also suggests that a strict vegan diet may improve liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), regardless of decreased body weight. However, it is essential to ensure that micronutrient-rich foods are included in commercial vegan diets to reduce the risk of deficiency.
Consensus Meter
Dieting's psychological effects, disordered eating and poor well-being, still not fully explored; whether they result from restriction or restraint is unclear.
Published By:
R. Norwood - Obesity Science & Practice
2019
Cited By:
25
Low-carb vegan and moderate-carb vegetarian diets are similarly effective for weight loss and metabolic measures in type 2 diabetes patients. However, low-carb vegan has greater potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Published By:
D. Jenkins - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
2022
Cited By:
6
Vegan diet resulted in significant weight loss in overweight and obese women with PCOS in a 90-day weight loss program, with a greater decrease in energy and fat intake compared to low-calorie diet. A larger sample size is needed to validate these findings.
Published By:
Shubhra Saraswat - undefined
2020
Cited By:
0
Short-term vegan diets during EOC Lenten fasting led to health benefits, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but the improvements were not maintained after returning to an omnivore diet. Vegetarian diets could potentially be recommended for short periods as a non-pharmacological prescription.
Published By:
Tariku Sisay - PLoS ONE
2020
Cited By:
3
A pilot study found that a vegan diet for six months led to improved liver enzymes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients. The diet also resulted in weight loss, but weight loss did not directly correlate with liver function improvement.
Published By:
G. Chiarioni - Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases
2021
Cited By:
4
Low-carb vegan diet with increased protein and fat from gluten, soy products, nuts, and vegetable oils showed lipid-lowering advantages over high-carb, low-fat weight loss diet, improving heart disease risk factors and resulting in greater weight loss and better reductions in cholesterol.
Published By:
D. Jenkins - BMJ Open
2014
Cited By:
68
Study shows micronutrient deficiencies in popular weight-loss diets, highlighting the need for attention to nutrient-rich foods.
Published By:
Matthew G Engel - Nutrients
2018
Cited By:
20
Study compared Mediterranean and vegan diets in 62 adults; vegan led to more weight loss (-6.0 kg) & changes in gut microbiome. Firmicutes & Lachnospiraceae positively correlated with weight loss, while Enterobacteria & Eubacteria had negative correlations.
Published By:
H. Kahleová - Diabetes
2021
Cited By:
2
Low-carb, high-protein diets like Atkins are popular for weight loss. However, too much animal protein and fat without weight loss may increase heart disease risk.
Published By:
J. Wong - undefined
2006
Cited By:
0
High protein, low carb diets usually use animal sources, but the saturated fat can cause negative effects on blood lipids.
Published By:
J. Wong - undefined
2007
Cited By:
1