Effects of a 4-week Raw, Plant-based Diet on Anthropometric and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: This study evaluates the effects of a prescribed 4-week raw, plant-based dietary intervention in the treatment of excess body weight, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension in the clinical setting.

Detailed Description: Plant-based diets have emerged in the literature as effective therapeutic strategies in the reduction of body weight, serum lipids and blood pressure. In addition, raw fruit and vegetable consumption has also been associated with the reduction of these clinical indicators.

Participants were instructed to follow a prescribed, raw, plant-based dietary intervention for four weeks. All animal products, including eggs and dairy, were excluded. Cooked foods, free oils, soda, alcohol and coffee were also to be excluded. All meals and snacks were provided to the participants for the full duration of the intervention. Emphasized were raw fruits and vegetables, while seeds, avocado, raw oats, raw buckwheat, and dehydrated foods were prepared as condiments. Vitamin, herbal, and mineral supplements were to be discontinued unless otherwise clinically indicated. Participants were not advised to alter their exercise habits.

Participants came to a total of 4 follow-up visits. A laboratory panel was obtained at baseline and at 4-weeks. A 24-hour recall was also conducted at baseline and at 4-weeks. Anthropometrics, hemodynamics, and medication needs were assessed on a weekly basis.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Tobacco use
Drug abuse
Excessive alcohol consumption (>2 glasses of wine or alcohol equivalent per day for men or >1 glass of wine or alcohol equivalent for woman)
Current cancer diagnosis
Estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mg/dL
Clinically defined infection
Mental disability
Hospitalization <6 months
Previous exposure to plant-based diet

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Raw, plant-based diet	Dietary Intervention	A raw, plant-based diet was prescribed for 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in body weight	Baseline, follow-up weeks 1-4	Weight (kg) was documented at baseline and during 4 additional weekly follow-up visits
Change in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)	Baseline and 4-weeks	LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in blood pressure	Baseline, follow-up weeks 1-4	Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) was documented at baseline and during 4 additional weekly follow-up visits

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in heart rate	Baseline, follow-up weeks 1-4	Heart rate (beats/min) was documented at baseline and during 4 additional weekly follow-up visits
Change in c-reactive protein (CRP)	Baseline and 4-weeks	CRP (mg/L) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in waist circumference	Baseline, follow-up weeks 1-4	Waist circumference (cm) was documented at baseline and during 4 additional weekly follow-up visits
Change in serum insulin	Baseline and 4-weeks	Insulin (uU/mL) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in serum hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c)	Baseline and 4-weeks	HgA1c (%) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol	Baseline and 4-weeks	Serum HDL (mg/dL) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in serum triglycerides	Baseline and 4-weeks	Triglycerides mg/dL was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in medication use	Baseline, follow-up weeks 1-4	Medication needs were assessed weekly
Change in serum total cholesterol	Baseline and 4-weeks	Serum total cholesterol (mg/dL) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks
Change in serum glucose	Baseline and 4-weeks	Serum glucose (mg/dL) was documented at baseline and after 4-weeks