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Eating a vegan diet for just eight weeks can significantly reduce biological age estimations, according to a recent study. The research, published in the journal BMC Medicine, highlights how dietary changes can impact biological age, offering potential insights into the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and dementia.
Understanding Biological Age
Biological age, distinct from chronological age, reflects the true functional state of our body’s systems. Knowing one’s biological age can provide a better understanding of health risks, including susceptibility to diseases like diabetes and dementia. This recent study used DNA methylation levels—a chemical modification of DNA that affects gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself—to measure biological age.
The Study Design
The study was a randomized, controlled trial involving 21 pairs of adult identical twins. The unique twin study design helped control for genetic factors, providing clearer insights into the effects of diet alone. One twin from each pair was assigned to an omnivorous diet, including 170 to 225 grams of meat, one egg, and one and a half servings of dairy each day. The other twin followed a vegan diet, which excluded all animal products, for the same eight-week period.
Findings
The results were compelling. Participants on the vegan diet showed decreases in biological age as measured by epigenetic ageing clocks. These clocks assess the state of various bodily systems, and improvements were noted in heart, hormone, liver, inflammatory, and metabolic system ages.
Additionally, those on the vegan diet lost, on average, two kilograms more than their omnivorous counterparts. This weight loss was attributed to the lower calorie content typically associated with vegan diets.
Implications and Future Research
While the findings are promising, the researchers emphasized the need for further investigation to understand the relationship between diet, weight, and aging better. The study’s small sample size and short duration suggest that more extensive and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these results and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Conclusion
This study adds to the growing body of evidence that dietary choices can have profound effects on our health, particularly regarding biological aging. While more research is needed, adopting a vegan diet even for a short period might offer significant health benefits, including a reduction in biological age and potential protection against age-related diseases.
As our understanding of the complex interactions between diet and health continues to evolve, this study underscores the potential of dietary interventions in promoting healthier aging.
