Plant-based diet, serum fatty acid profile, and free radicals in postmenopausal women: the diet and androgens (DIANA) randomized trial

Int J Biol Markers. 2005 Jul-Sep;20(3):169-76. doi: 10.1177/172460080502000304.

Abstract

High calorie and fat consumption and the production of free radicals are two major mechanistic pathways between diet and disease. In this study we evaluated the effect of a plant-based diet poor in animal fat and rich in (n-3) fatty acids on fatty acids of serum phospholipids and on the production of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs). One hundred and four healthy female postmenopausal volunteers were recruited and randomized to a dietary intervention or a control group. Dietary intervention included a program of food education and biweekly common meals for 18 weeks. When the intervention and control groups were compared, it was seen that dietary intervention resulted in a significant reduction of saturated fatty acids (-1.5%) and a significant increase in (n-3) fatty acids (+20.6%), in particular docosahexaenoic acid (+24.8%). We observed that arachidonic acid decreased (-7.7%), while (n-6) fatty acids did not, and the (n-3)/(n-6) polyunsaturated ratio increased significantly (+24.1%). As expected, ROMs decreased significantly in the intervention group (-6%). The results indicated that a plant-based diet can improve the serum fatty acid profile and decrease ROMs production. These results suggest that a plant-based diet may reduce the body's exposure to oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arachidonic Acid / blood
  • Diet, Vegetarian*
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects*
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids / blood*
  • Female
  • Free Radicals / blood*
  • Humans
  • Linoleic Acid / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Phospholipids / blood
  • Postmenopause
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / blood

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fatty Acids
  • Free Radicals
  • Phospholipids
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Linoleic Acid