Does a Vegan Diet Slow Biological Aging?
Dave, it’s hard not to cringe about this episode after I just ate brisket at my favorite BBQ joint. Could that be because we’re about to talk about how vegan diets are better for you? That even eating a limited vegan diet can reduce your biological age.
So, we both could benefit from paying attention since we’re omnivores which means we eat a mixture of vegetables and meat. This study involving sets of twins on 8 weeks of vegan vs omnivore diets showed those on the vegan diet aged slower. This adds to other studies showing a vegan diet lowers heart disease risk, inflammation, and cancer risk. One study that followed more than 300,000 people showed the diet reduced type two diabetes risk by 20 percent.
This clinical study used 21 sets of twins, divided into two groups. They were slightly overweight. Everyone in the study received nutrition counseling and ate prepared meals for half of the 8 weeks. One group ate a regular diet with a mixture of meat and vegetables while the other ate a vegan diet. After 8 weeks, the vegan group lost about four pounds. Halfway through and at the end of the study, the twins’ DNA were measured for chemical changes. By the end, researchers saw a decrease in the biological age of only the vegan group. They also found less aging in the kidney, heart, liver and inflammatory systems in this group.
They’ll need more studies to confirm that vegan diets slow biological aging which if proven would add to the body of work that suggests eating a plant diet may be better for your health.
More Information
With a little planning, vegan diets can be a healthful choice
Recently there has been much discussion and many questions about vegan diets. Are vegan diets — which exclude meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy — healthful? Do they provide complete nutrition? Should I try one? Will it help me lose weight?
Short-term vegan diet associated with reductions in biological age estimates
Eating a vegan diet for eight weeks is associated with reductions in biological age estimations based on levels of DNA methylation—a type of chemical modification of DNA (known as an epigenetic modification) that alters gene expression but not DNA itself.
Unveiling the epigenetic impact of vegan vs. omnivorous diets on aging: insights from the Twins Nutrition Study (TwiNS)
This study suggests that a short-term vegan diet is associated with epigenetic age benefits and reduced calorie intake. The use of epigenetic biomarker proxies (EBPs) highlights their potential for assessing dietary impacts and facilitating personalized nutrition strategies for healthy aging. Future research should explore the long-term effects of vegan diets on epigenetic health and overall well-being, considering the importance of proper nutrient supplementation.