The cohort study investigates the effect of different dietary intake among omnivorous, vegan, vegetarian and low-carb diets on health parameters and on long-term overall health. The participants blood parameters, dietary intake, gut microbiota composition, body mass and composition, resting energy expenditure, lifestyle factors and psychological factors will be determined and measured.
Vegetarian and vegan diets have been shown to have health benefits on preventing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. They are both gaining popularity in public. Ketogenic diet has also been very popular, especially due to its effect on weight loss and blood glucose parameters. To our knowledge there, are no studies that compare long-term effects of all three diets and omnivorous diets with regards to health parameters and gut microbiota composition. The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the link between different diets and health parameters, such as parameters related to longevity, inflammation, stress and gut microbiota composition. The study is designed to compare different diets and their relationship with the body as a whole.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
200
Participants' lifestyle will be followed over the years.
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
Izola, Slovenia
Changes in systemic inflammation
CRP \[mg/L\] will be measured as a marker of inflammation.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in serum total antioxidative capacity
Total antioxidative capacity of serum will be measured with Photochem instrument and expressed as nanomole equivalents of ascorbic acid per microliter of serum.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in macronutrient intake
Macronutrient intake will be measured with validated FFQ and 3-day food diary and analysed with softwares OPEN and Prodi. Macronutrient intake will be expressed as part of daily energy intake.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in micronutrient intake
Micronutrient intake will be measured with validated FFQ and 3-day food diary and analysed with softwares OPEN and Prodi. Micronutrient intake will be expressed as mg per day.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in gut microbiota composition
Microbial composition of stool will be determined with microbial DNA isolation and identification.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in body composition
Fat free body mass will be measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis and expressed in kg.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in resting metabolic rate
Resting metabolic rate will be determined with indirect calorimeter and expressed in kJ/day.
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Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in lifestyle factors
Will be assessed with a questionnaire.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in anxiety
Will be assessed by state-trait anxiety inventory. The STAIX-1 contains 20 items, which are scored on a 4-pointscale with subscale scores ranging from 20 to 80, with higherscores indicating higher anxiety.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in body satisfaction
Will be assessed by the body dissatisfaction subscale from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2. Responses will be rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (never) to 4 (always).
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in grip strength
Will be measured with a hand dynamometer.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.
Changes in autophagy
Autophagy will be measured by autophagy-related mRNA gene expression evaluation.
Time frame: Change from baseline at 5 years.