Category Archives: Diet And Food

When she moved back to Lagos in 2010 after living and working abroad, Affiong Osuchukwu noticed that a lot of the Nigerian food she cherished had become meat-centric. Although the essence of the dishes hadnt changed, they seemed, to her, to be meatier.

I never recalled a pot of soup as having as much meat and fish as I see today, she said. My running joke is Where is the soup in the soup? Because all I see is animal parts. The soup is not there.

Ms. Osuchukwu runs Plant Food Federation, a website focused on plant-based approaches to Nigerian cuisine, and she is one of many cooks in West Africa and the diaspora navigating the experience of being vegan in a culture that holds certain ideas about food close. She is also part of a growing number of people trying to confront a misconception that it is difficult and even limiting to eat a meatless diet using West African ingredients.

On the contrary, Ms. Osuchukwu, who is originally from Calabar, in southern Nigeria, said that there are many ingredients available across the country that can be used to adapt traditional dishes for a plant-based diet, like sliced ugba, a fermented oil bean seed, which steps in for dried and smoked fish in native rice and in abacha, a salad of shredded cassava, red palm oil and fresh herbs.

People always ask me know how I handle being vegan or plant-based in Nigeria because they believe we dont have food diversity here, she said, and I always look at them like, No, actually, we have more food diversity locally, right here, than in many different parts of the world.

West Africans are passionate about adaptations to their dishes. New approaches are questioned, and traditional ways of making beloved recipes are championed. But plant-based ingredients are not just replacing meat in these recipes; they are revealing new paths to familiar flavors.

Removing animal products from recipes like moin moin, steamed bean cakes that may be packed with meat, fish or eggs (sometimes all three), and often served at holiday celebrations; gizdodo, a chicken gizzard and plantain dish; and kontomire stew, a melon seed soup made with cocoyam leaves, hasnt created the kind of culinary gap one might imagine.

Moin moin, for example, does not need the additions of animal products that have become ubiquitous across Lagos. (The Nigerian Cookbook by H.O. Anthonio and M. Isoun, published in 1982, features a plant-based recipe.) Mushrooms can step into many dishes, hitting all of the same notes you would find in a meat-based recipe. Lemongrass, coconut, cassava and seasonal fruit are indigenous ingredients across many parts of West Africa, and they shine in a lemongrass tapioca.

Afia Amoako, who posts on Instagram and TikTok as @thecanadianafrican, said something that resonated with the recipe developer in me: There is no standard recipe for many traditional dishes. There are only standard methods, ways of building and layering flavor, techniques that produce a familiar outcome.

We all know how incredibly protective of their food West African people are, but we sometimes forget that everyone does it differently in their own household, she said.

When Ms. Amoako, a Ghanaian doctoral student living in Toronto, became a vegan about six years ago, her family and friends wondered how this would change her relationship to the food she grew up eating food her parents ate daily.

She says it has helped her connect to a more traditional way of eating.

My mom has been so gracious about helping me veganize a lot of my dishes, Ms. Amoako said. Shell say, OK, lets pull out what we did in the village because that aligns with how youre eating.

Her social media platforms have become robust forums for discussing what it means for everyday Ghanaian dishes to be adapted to suit a plant-based diet.

My work on my platforms is a reminder to fellow Ghanaians that being vegan doesnt mean losing or giving up your culture, Ms. Amoako said.

In fact, she sees a harmony between exploring the continents history and adapting her cuisine.

The ways that we did it before, she said, there was sustainability built into it.

Fatmata Binta, a Fulani chef based in Ghana, has also found that harmony.

She examines the plant-based foundations of Fulani cuisine through her dinner series, Fulani Kitchen, which was inspired by her visits to Fulani settlements throughout Ghana.

She says that most people assume that the cuisine is meat-centric, because of the Fulani peoples connection to cattle. But, she says, cattle is business for Fulani people the meat is mostly sold at markets and is a central source of income for the community.

Though Ms. Binta is not vegan, she notes that plant-based eating aligns with a more traditional way of life.

Our nomadic lifestyle requires that we travel mostly with nonperishable and preserved foods, she said. Grains, legumes, potatoes and sun-dried ingredients make up most of our diet.

During the pandemic, unable to travel easily, she began finding ingredients at Nima Market in Ghana, where Fulani and Hausa traders would sell ingredients, and foraging locally in and around Aburi. I discovered so many local ingredients by foraging, and Im able to work with the ingredients when they are at their best, she said. Its so inspiring and therapeutic.

For some West African chefs in the diaspora, engaging with vegetarian interpretations of their cuisines has prompted other kinds of self-reflection.

Salimatu Amabebe, who uses the pronouns he and they, is the director of Black Feast, a Bay Area dinner series that incorporates the work of Black artists and musicians, and centers the Black experience through a plant-based lens. He also seeks to merge two culinary identities: as a youth in the United States where his Nigerian fathers cooking was central to daily life, and as a professional cook. The dinners are set up on a sliding scale fee, ensuring that they are financially accessible. For Mr. Amabebe, it was a move toward inclusivity something he said he didnt feel within the broader vegan community.

Mr. Amabebe ate a vegan diet for 13 years, but said that identifying as a vegan felt disingenuous. The term vegan, he said, is used to market food to people.

I have a lot of discomfort in using Western food terms to describe Nigerian cuisine, even when the dishes are traditionally that way, he said, adding, The West African food I know is very much about sharing with family and community, rather than mass marketing.

Putting vegan and Nigerian cuisine together feels a little bit like Im like doing something conscious, he said. I would love to find words or phrases that feel true, or easier on my soul.

In fact, all of the people I spoke to said that the word vegan didnt easily apply to West African foodways, and the way they are discussed.

Ms. Osuchukwu often relies on terms like plant-based, plant-based vegan or sometimes even vegetarian. She says she will tell people that shes a vegetarian because they understand vegetarian.

She added: I dont actually like using the word vegan to be honest, regardless of where I am. I feel that plant-based is a better descriptor of our food.

No matter the terms they use to describe their diets, these four West Africans are telling a story with many chapters, and figuring out their place in the world.

I am rooting my diet in the history of cooking in my family, Ms. Amoako said. I am just living how my grandparents and my parents did.

For Mr. Amabebe, it is more about his own journey. Having a background of working in kitchens run by white chefs, where theres a specific style of consistency around fine dining, the process of cooking Nigerian food brings me back home, said Mr. Amabebe, who finds that Nigerian home cooking truly lets the cooks style and ingredients shine.

The food changes you. You cant help but change your mind about how you do things. Those ingredients are talking to you.

Recipes: Moin Moin (Steamed Bean Cakes) | Roasted Mushrooms in Ata Din Din | Coconut-Lemongrass Tapioca With Caramelized Citrus

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Connecting With West Africas Plant-Based Past - The New York Times

Inflammation is part of our immune system that helps fight off an infection, a virus, bad bacteria or heal an injury. However, inflammation can be harmful and chronic inflammation has been linked to heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. WebMD states, "But in some diseases, like arthritis, your body's defense system your immune system triggers inflammation when there are no invaders to fight off. In these autoimmune diseases, your immune system acts as if regular tissues are infected or somehow unusual, causing damage." Eat This, Not That! Health talked to experts who explained why inflammation can be concerning and how to reserve it. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Vernon Williams, MD, sports neurologist and founding director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, CA explains, "The role of inflammation in a number of other common disorders is now recognized. Rather than acute inflammation resulting in swelling, redness and pain, these diseases are associated with long-standing, chronic, low-grade inflammation. There is increasing concern that inflammation-particularly chronic, low-grade inflammation-may predispose people to dramatic and long term consequences after specific triggers of an inflammatory episode. Some people are more likely to develop progressive and long-standing pain and dysfunction (and possibly other chronic medical conditions with inflammatory components) after a "trigger" (such as a fall or motor vehicle accident)."

Dr. Williams says, "Part of the concern is that dietary and nutritional status creates this predisposition. For a number of reasons, our current diets fail to provide us with balanced amounts of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory building blocks such that we have a tremendous overabundance of pro-inflammatory substances in our diet and a paucity of anti-inflammatory substances. Paying attention to principles of an anti-inflammatory diet and nutrition can significantly reduce inflammation without the need to use anti-inflammatory medications (which have the risk of potentially serious side effects). This involves avoiding substances that can promote inflammation. Allergens (food, chemical and environmental) cause and promote inflammation. The Omega-6 family of fatty acids (including corn, peanut and safflower oils), trans-fatty acids from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils also cause inflammation. On the other hand, there are dietary options such as Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids, and antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, CoQ) that reduce and fight inflammation."

"From a practical standpoint, adjustments in food and supplement intake such as cooking with extra virgin olive oil, eating more wild caught cold water fish, reducing carbs, and eating larger varieties of fresh, whole, colorful foods help achieve a more advantageous ratio of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances in the diet," Dr. Williams states. "This more balanced ratio prevents and reduces the predisposition to dramatic inflammatory responses after a "trigger" event and reduces ongoing inflammation that is at work in pain and other chronic inflammatory conditions."

Dr. Orrin Troum, MD, rheumatologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA explains, "There are published nutrition and dietary recommendations for patients with rheumatoid arthritis which causes inflammation. Active RA may be associated with poor nutritional intake and anorexia. Trying to overcome these deficiencies are an important part of the management of the disease. Diets rich in fish oil or where additional eicosatetraenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid are added to the diet results in decreased cytokines and arachidonic acid metabolites and subsequent decreased symptoms. Other proposed dietary manipulations have been tried in RA therapy, but remain unproven. Overweight patients should be encouraged to lose weight to prevent excess stress on the weight bearing joints."

According to Dr. Williams, "Inflammation frequently plays a large role in the continuation of pain. As the baby boomer generation ages, we neurologists and other pain specialists are seeing more patients with inflammatory conditions (arthritis, for instance) that affect older populations and as such, more patients who are suffering the chronically painful effects. The typical course of treatment for the pain associated with these conditions is often confined to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and Naprosyn), steroids and other medications that can have severe side effects and risks, especially with prolonged use. But new treatments have emerged that can help control pain without the risks and side effects often associated with other treatment courses.

One powerful tool that has been used in medicine for thousands of years is electricity. While medications to control pain often work to block the pain response in the inflammation cycle, electrical signal therapy (EST) works differently."

Dr. Williams says, "Neuromodulation treatments are those that target the nervous system or brain at specific locations in the body and are part of a growing variety of methods that treat a number of conditions including CRPS, Migraine, Neuropathic Pain and many others. This class of treatments delivers electrical stimulation in an effort to relieve pain and restore function.

Radiofrequency During this safe and effective procedure, an electrical current is produced by a radio wave, which heats an affected area of nerve tissue. This is designed to minimize the pain signals from that specific area. There are a number of conditions that this type of therapy can be successfully used to treat including spine pain from arthritis and more. The degree of pain relief can be different for each individual but for the appropriate diagnosis, the majority of patients treated with a radiofrequency procedure experience relief.

Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) A variation of continuous radiofrequency treatment for pain, this procedure can offer the added benefits of pain control without the destruction of surrounding tissue in the treatment area. The benefits of this are especially noted in more complicated cases of neuropathic pain. In contrast to traditional radiofrequency, PRF is delivered in short "bursts" to help reduce risk of tissue damage and to confine the effect to the specific nerve being treated.

Electrostimulation with Nerve Blocks Traditional nerve blocks are procedures designed to interrupt nerve pulses (which send pain signals to the brain) by injecting nerves with a local anesthetic agent. Emerging studies are showing that a brief series of combined electrostimulation and nerve blocks can significantly improve pain associated with nerve damage, outperforming the benefits of medications commonly used for these kinds of problems." And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

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How to Reverse Inflammation, Experts Say Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Introduction

In recent decades, the prevalence of mental health disorders has been increasing and is a major public health problem. The current worldwide prevalence of depression is estimated at 350 million.1,2 According to the World Health Organization, more than a quarter of European adults have experienced psychological disorders. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study highlights the significant contribution of mental health and depression to the global burden of non-communicable diseases, including years of disability.3 Therefore, it is important to determine new preventive measures or strategies to reduce the development of the disease. Multi-factor processes, most likely to involve biological, social, genetic, and environmental factors, contribute to the individuals mental health and well-being.4,5 There is increasing attention to the possible contribution of modifiable lifestyle behaviors (such as habitual dietary intake) to the development of common mental health disorders. In addition, the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry no longer focuses on specific nutrients or foods but turns its attention to the relationship between eating patterns and mental health.6,7

Healthy eating patterns, such as the Norwegian and Mediterranean diets, which are characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lean meat, are associated with a lower likelihood of depression.810 On the contrary, it is reported that people with unhealthy or Western-style diets have an increased risk of depression, which is typically characterized by a large consumption of energy-dense, high-fat and high-sugar products, processed and red meat, refined grains, and alcohol. However, meta-analysis and systematic reviews have not yet provided confirmation, partly because of the limited number of studies. Eating patterns and diet quality are also related to well-being, anxiety, and stress, which suggests that the biological mechanisms that underpin the health-related diet go beyond depressive symptoms. Inflammation has been proposed as the basis of the mechanism linking diet to mental health.11,12 There is increasing evidence that depression is related to increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although high heterogeneity was observed in earlier meta-analyses, a recent meta-analysis (MDD) of cytokines and chemokines in major depression confirmed that concentrations of tumor necrosis factor A (TNF-A) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as other cytokines and chemokines, were significantly elevated in MDD patients. At present, relevant studies have reported that there is an association between the inflammatory potential of habitual diet and mental health, but the specific mechanism has not yet reached a consistent conclusion.1315 Lucas et al reported Eating patterns related to circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and TNF- receptor 2 were determined, and their relationship with depression risk was examined among participants in the Nurses Health Study.1618 They reported a 3040% increase in the risk of depression, depending on the definition, comparing the highest and lowest quintiles (that is, the most pro-inflammatory versus the most anti-inflammatory).19 In recent years, the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been developed to characterize an individuals continuous diet from maximum anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory. So far, DII has been associated with CRP, IL-6, and TNF-a. To date, only three studies have examined the relationship between DII and depression; all have reported that those with the most pro-inflammatory diets have an increased risk of depression.20

One candidate mechanism for motivation-related disorders in major depression is inflammation. Now, a large amount of literature shows that compared with the control group, some patients with depression have increased expression of inflammatory proteins and genes in peripheral tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and increased peripheral blood acute phase proteins, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. A meta-analysis of these documents has determined that the most reliable inflammatory biomarkers for depression are the increase in peripheral blood inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-6 and the increase in acute phase protein C-reactive protein. Finally, compared with the general population, in the list of common symptoms, non-depressed individuals with primary immune diseases showed a significantly higher incidence of anhedonia symptoms.2123

Patients with depression show a wide range of clinical manifestations, including cognitive and autonomic symptoms. Importantly, these symptoms may differ in their biological causes, and deconstructing depression into specific symptoms may provide valuable insights into underlying neurobiology. A study has conducted a narrative review of the existing literature (21 studies) to clarify whether the link between depression and inflammation has specific symptoms. Overall, there is evidence that there is an association between neurovegetative symptoms of depression and inflammation, independent of cognitive symptoms. This is not the case with cognitive symptoms and inflammation. There is also some evidence that there are gender differences in the direction of the relationship between depression and inflammation.24 At the same time, a meta-analysis of 22 studies showed that CRP and IL-6 inflammatory cytokine levels are significantly positively correlated with the risk of concurrent depression. At the same time, inflammation (measured by CRP or IL-6) can predict future depression. This suggests that there may be a two-way relationship between depression and pro-inflammatory states.25 Another review identified the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of two inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and depression in the elderly. The results show that there is a cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between CRP and IL-6 and depression in the elderly. In longitudinal studies, inflammation causes depression, rather than inflammation.26

Elevated biomarkers of systemic inflammation have been reported in individuals with cognitive decline; however, most of the literature involves cross-sectional analyses with mixed results. A study investigating the etiology of this association conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies examining the association between baseline interleukin-6 (IL-6), an established marker of peripheral inflammation, and the risk of cognitive decline at follow-up in adults without dementia. At the same time, mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) has a positive impact on the mental health of different populations. One study examined the effects of MBI on a psychiatric biomarker used to summarize the effects of low-grade inflammation. The results showed that MBI showed a low but significant effect on health outcomes associated with low-grade inflammatory biomarkers.22

The Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension (DASH) is based on seven components, with the four highest intakes considered ideal (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes) and three components, with avoidance or minimum intakes, considered ideal (conversion and red meat, sweet drinks, and sodium). The minimum value of each section is 1, the maximum value is 5, and the middle value is graded proportionately.27,28 The scores for all components are added up to a DASH total score ranging from 5 to 40, with higher scores indicating a healthier diet.29

There is increasing evidence that there is a link between depression and high blood pressure. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as high-energy intake and poor diet, smoking and drinking, and lack of physical exercise, are all risk factors for depression and high blood pressure. In addition, depression and hypertension are related to the imbalance of redox activity signaling and increased immune-inflammatory response.30,31 These diseases may lead to excessive activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to increased secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor, corticotropin, and cortisol. These known risk factors are increased blood pressure and depressive symptoms. Oxidative stress and mild inflammation may also cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction, including increased sympathetic nerve activity and decreased parasympathetic nerve activity, and promote high blood pressure and depression.32 In addition, due to the role of endothelial cells in the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, endothelial dysfunction is considered a risk factor for depression. Endothelial dysfunction is also a risk factor for high blood pressure because it may lead to an increase in blood pressure and the vascular endothelium may acquire pro-inflammatory properties.33

The Diet to Stop High Blood Pressure (DASH) diet plan, which includes following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, as well as low in SFA and red meat, is effective in reducing inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure And blood lipids. In addition, it has been reported that there is a negative correlation between adherence to a DASH diet and diabetes or CVD. Since hypertension and depression have many common risk factors, and because of the potential benefits of the DASH diet for diabetes, CVD, and low-grade inflammation, it is determined that the dietary treatment of hypertension may be related to the risk of depression.34,35

Adhering to the DASH diet can not only reduce the risk of CRC and CRA in men and women but also reduce the risk of renal function decline and all-cause mortality.36 There is evidence that the protective properties of the DASH diet may be partly due to its inverse relationship with visceral obesity.37 Some studies have provided evidence that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is associated with reduced levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, and may provide effective means for chronic disease prevention.38 Compared with the conventional diet, adherence to the DASH diet can effectively improve the circulating serum inflammatory biomarkers in adults and promote the formation of a systemic anti-inflammatory environment, at the same time, it can also reduce the risk of aggregate metabolism in elderly women. Consequently, it may be a valuable strategy to inhibit the inflammatory process.39,40 DASH diet can significantly increase GSH and reduce MDA levels. In addition, there is a trend to improve TAC, NO, and f2-is prostaglandins by sticking to the DASH diet.41 Intake of the DASH diet for 8 weeks in NAFLD patients has significant effects on body weight, BMI, ALT, ALP, triglycerides, insulin metabolism markers, inflammation markers, glutathione, and malondialdehyde.42 Whilst, DASH diet in pregnant women with GDM has a beneficial effect on FPG, serum insulin levels, HOMA-IR score, plasma TAC, and total GSH levels.43

The Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010) is based on 11 ingredients, of which six are considered ideal for maximum intake (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes, long-chain omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids) and one is considered ideal for moderate intake (alcohol). Four ingredients to avoid or minimize are considered ideal (sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices, red and processed meats, trans fats, and sodium). The minimum value of each section is 0, the maximum value is 10, and the middle value is graded proportionately. The scores for all the components are added to produce an aHEI-2010 overall score, which ranges from 0 to 110, with a higher score indicating a healthier diet.44,45

Prospective studies have shown that, as measured by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), adherence to a healthy eating pattern is associated with a lower risk of recurrence of depressive symptoms in women, but not in men. This favorable association is attributed to the components of AHEI, including vegetables, fruits, and the ratio of PUFA/SFA. In addition, it is reported that according to the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005 measurement, African Americans and white adults living in Baltimore have a higher quality of their diet and fewer symptoms of depression.46,47 Similar findings have been reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, where a higher HEI is associated with a lower risk of depression in adults. The results of the meta-analysis of observational studies also revealed a significant negative correlation between healthy eating patterns (determined by factor analysis) and depression risk.48,49

Several possible mechanisms may explain the negative correlation between AHEI-2010 and depression. This association is caused by the cumulative effect of all the components of AHEI-2010, not by individual nutrients or food groups. The high content of folic acid, B vitamins, and antioxidants in a healthy diet may reduce the damage of oxidative stress to neurons. Due to the relationship between high levels of inflammatory biomarkers and depressive symptoms, the anti-inflammatory properties of the foods contained in AHEI have been shown to reduce the concentration of monoamines. In addition, the high levels of PUFA and n-3 fatty acids present in oily fish and other components of AHEI are other possible mechanisms.5052

The Relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED) described by Buckland et al estimates compliance with MD and is based on 9 ideal or bad dietary components. In terms of health, the ideal ingredients include grains, vegetables (excluding potatoes), beans, fruits and nuts, fresh fish, olive oil, and moderate alcohol consumption. In turn, undesirable ingredients include meat and dairy products. Each ingredient (except alcohol) is expressed in grams per 1000 kcal per day and is divided into gender-specific tertiles. Values between 0 and 2 are assigned to each tertile of the ideal component.53,54 For unwanted ingredients, the scores are reversed. For alcohol consumption, if the alcohol consumption is in the range of 525 g/day for women and 1050 g/day for men, 2 points are allocated; otherwise, it is recorded as 0 points. rMED is the sum of all 9 components. The total score ranges from 0 points (non-compliance) to 18 points (complete compliance).55

MD is characterized by high consumption of olive oil, whole grains, and plant food, low in saturated fat and sugar intake, and moderate consumption of fish, dairy products, and red wine, is considered to be one of the best models of a healthy diet because it has several cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and oxidative stress, and the beneficial effects of overall mortality rates. In particular, recent evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress may constitute potential pathways for a potential link between diet and depression. This is supported by several studies that report a significant association between the inflammatory potential of diet and depression or depressive symptoms.56,57

Many possible approaches have been proposed to explain the link between diet and depression, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and regulation of neurotransmitter synthesis. Epidemiological studies report a negative correlation between MD compliance and inflammation and oxidative stress marker levels. Specifically, inflammation is the result of an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. In the brain, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-, affect almost all pathways involved in the pathophysiology of depression, such as changes in neurotransmitter expression, neuroendocrine function, and synaptic plasticity.58,59

Certain Mediterranean diet components may affect preclinical vascular changes through potential new mechanisms. These changes may be related to cardiovascular risk by reducing endothelial oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and enhancing endothelial function.60 Furthermore, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, especially its fish composition is related to lower CRP blood concentration.61 MedDiet has similar effects on inflammation in men and women. In addition, the variability of MedDiets anti-inflammatory effects may be partly due to the individuals overall inflammatory state; however, this observation seems to be more specific to men.62 In addition, the understanding of how nutrition affects the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases has also been greatly developed in recent years. The protective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MD) in preventing neurodegenerative diseases has been reported in many studies. The distinctive feature of the Mediterranean diet is the moderate intake of red wine and extra virgin olive oil, both of which are rich in polyphenolic compounds, such as resveratrol, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and its derivatives. In vitro studies have shown They have neuroprotective properties, including anti-inflammatory effects on microglia.63

DII is an inflammatory index developed and verified by a researcher at the University of South Carolina in Columbia to evaluate the inflammatory potential of an individuals diet to understand the inflammatory impact of diet on human health. The purpose of creating the inflammation index is to provide a tool to classify an individuals diet from the most anti-inflammatory to the most pro-inflammatory continuity. The original DII was derived from the results of articles evaluating the effects of specific foods and ingredients on specific inflammatory markers published from 1950 to 2007. Each food and ingredient was assigned a score and multiplied by the actual food intake parameters of the individual to produce a The overall score summarizes a persons diet from the maximum anti-inflammatory to the maximum pro-inflammatory degree. Specific markers are IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF- and CRP. In 2014, South Carolina researchers improved the original DII scoring for peer-reviewed journals updated from 2007 to 2010; the improved scoring system has been applied to 45 food parameters, including whole foods, nutrition, and other biologically active compounds, from all over the world Eleven food consumption data sets were determined, and the entire diet was considered, not just individual nutrition or food, and a comprehensive database was established to represent various diets of different populations in different regions of the world, which can be applied globally. The DII includes micronutrients, micronutrients, and other common dietary components, such as flavonoids and caffeine. It is a new tool for evaluating the potential of dietary inflammation and can be applied to any population that has collected dietary data. DII can be obtained through 24-hour diet recall interviews or food record data. Food parameters can increase or decrease inflammatory potential through pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers; according to the influence of food parameters on inflammation, significantly increase IL-1, IL-6, TNF- or CRP, or decrease IL-4 or IL-10 Give +1, it is a pro-inflammatory effect; significantly reduce IL-1, IL-6, TNF- or CRP, or increase the -1 given by IL-4 or IL-10, which is an anti-inflammatory effect; if food If the parameter does not produce any significant changes in inflammation markers, 0 is assigned.6466

The steps to establish a personal DII are as follows. The calculation of DII is based on dietary intake data and then linked to a representative database, which provides a reliable mean and standard deviation for 45 food parameters, and calculates the Z score of each persons food parameter, to balance the right bias Influence, the Z value is converted to the central percentile. The calculation of food-specific inflammation score is first weighted according to the research design and research type. These weighted valuesare used to calculate the pro-inflammatory component of each food parameter: a. Divide the number of weighted pro-inflammatory articles by the total number of weighted articles, b. Subtract the anti-inflammatory score from the pro-inflammatory score, and choose 236 as the critical point, that is, the median of the total number of weighted articles of all food parameters, to represent an optimal and robust literature library, all with weighted articles 236 Food parameters are assigned to the full value of the score. Adjust the foods and ingredients with weighted foods <236 as follows: divide the weighted foods by 236; then multiply the scores by the food parameter-specific original inflammatory effect score to obtain the food parameter-specific overall inflammatory effect score. Multiply the central percentile value of each food parameter by its respective overall food parameter specific inflammatory effect score to obtain the food parameter specific DII score. Add up all food parameter-specific DII scores to obtain personal DII scores.67

Chronic low-grade inflammation has complex and multifocal endogenous and exogenous causes, and diet has always been considered an important factor in regulating inflammation. A healthy diet (such as a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables) is usually associated with lower levels of inflammation, and a Western diet (such as high fat and simple carbohydrates) is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers, which can cause inflammation in the immune system.68,69 Belongs to the inflammatory diet. Studies have shown that the Western diet can change the intestinal microbial ecosystem and promote the occurrence and development of chronic inflammation. A study on cardiovascular risk showed that complement components C3, CPR, IL-6, TNF-, WBC, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are all increased in people with higher DII scores, and NLR is a sign of systemic inflammation. A meta-analysis on the relationship between DII and the risk of prostate cancer showed that a pro-inflammatory diet can lead to increased cell proliferation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, leading to prostate cancer. The possible mechanism is the promotion of foods such as butter, meat, and candy. An inflammatory diet increases systemic inflammation and causes insulin resistance, leading to an increase in insulin levels. Insulin levels play a role in the occurrence of prostate cancer by stimulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.70,71 A study in the United States showed that adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet including cholesterol and saturated fat has independent positive correlations with inflammation markers of white blood cells, IL-6, and homocysteine, and intake of high sugar, saturated fat, and other pro-inflammatory foods It promotes inflammation, which may increase the risk of various chronic diseases. On the other hand, the intake of the Mediterranean diet (including whole grains, fish, fruits and green vegetables, olive oil, etc.) is associated with lower levels of inflammation and is an anti-inflammatory diet. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower CRP, platelets, and WBC has anti-inflammatory effects and has a protective effect on cardiovascular diseases.72,73

Mental health disorders are more common in women than in men. According to reports, there are gender differences in depression and anxiety, including the age of onset and duration of symptoms, social adaptation, and long-term outcome. Current work shows that there are associations between the potential for dietary inflammation and depressive symptoms, anxiety, and mental health, and these associations are particularly evident in female participants. Although some earlier studies have also reported associations between female depression risk, these are female-only cohorts, and the dietary inflammation potential is determined by two different methods (dietary inflammation pattern and DII). The examination of the Nurses Health Research showed that by definition, comparing the highest and lowest quintiles of dietary inflammation patterns (that is, the most pro-inflammatory versus the most anti-inflammatory), the risk of depression increased by 3040%.74,75 The Australian Longitudinal Study of Womens Health (n = 6438) conducted a 12-year follow-up of middle-aged women and found that people with diet in the top quartile of DII had a 20% lower risk of depression than those in the lowest quartile of DII. To date, only two other studies have investigated the relationship between DII scores and the risk of depression in both sexes.76 In a Spanish cohort study of college graduates (n=15,093), male and female participants reported similar increases in depression risk (OR 1.53 and 1.46, respectively). Consistent with our findings are the latest data from the Whitehall II study, which also revealed a sex-specific association between DII and recurrence of depressive symptoms.77 In a longitudinal analysis of middle-aged men and women (average follow-up age of 60 years), women with the highest DII scores (ie, most pro-inflammatory diets) were almost 3 times more likely to develop recurrent depressive symptoms, even after adjustment After a wide range of confounding factors. No association was observed among male study participants. Compared with the Mitchelstown and Whitehall II cohorts (average age of about 60 years), the Spanish cohort (average age of one-fifth of the DII is 3640 years) may at least partly explain this difference in reporting specific gender relations Time. Further research is necessary to unravel the relationship between gender diet and depression.78,79

Several studies have assessed the relationship between diet and the inflammatory potential of overweight or obesity. Higher DII scores indicate a diet that is more conducive to inflammation and are associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. A cross-sectional study of the University of Minas Gerais cohort also showed that the prevalence of obesity increased with the DII score. In addition, a longitudinal study of a Mediterranean cohort also showed that higher DII scores were associated with increased annual mean weight change and incidence of overweight and obesity at 10 years of follow-up. Our findings are consistent with these previous studies that higher DII scores are associated with an increased risk of obesity, while lower DII scores are associated with a lower risk of obesity.8082

A large cross-sectional study showed that in individuals with high cardiovascular risk, there is a direct correlation between DII and BMI and abdominal obesity. A recent meta-analysis of 12 prospective studies reported that subjects with the highest DII quartile had higher BMI levels. A meta-analysis of another observational study showed that there is a significant positive correlation between DII and obesity and BMI. On the other hand, some previous studies have shown that DII is negatively correlated with obesity, or has nothing to do with body weight, BMI, fat mass, and abdominal obesity.83 These controversies may be partly due to differences in the study population, metabolic disorders, BMI cut-off values, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, dietary supplements, and the number of foods and nutrients included in the DII calculation. It may also be related to reported deviations that are known to vary with weight status.81,84

DII provides a quantitative assessment of the potential for dietary inflammation. Current research results show that, compared with obese individuals, a normal-weight diet is more pro-inflammatory and manifests as a higher DII score. However, E-DII did not differ significantly among the three study groups. As mentioned earlier, this may be due to differences in total energy intake using FFQ, which are taken into account when scoring E-DII or energy-related reporting deviations.85,86 A follow-up cohort study showed that there is a direct link between DII and annual weight gain and overweight and obesity in normal-weight individuals. There seems to be a two-way relationship between obesity and inflammation. Body fat mass induces inflammation, which can lead to obesity and weight gain. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the DII score and circulating leptin (as a pro-inflammatory fat-derived peptide), which underscores the potential role of dietary inflammatory features on adipose tissue inflammation. Chronic inflammation is one of the key mechanisms explaining obesity-related complications.87,88

In the field of obesity, BMI is the most common and convenient obesity classification index. The significance of using BMI is far-reaching because it can give an accurate cut-off point to define the number of people with different weights, and then tell us the prevalence of obesity. Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat, and this excess fat is usually considered an indicator of poor health, which in turn constitutes a series of risk factors for diseases, including diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, Sleep apnea, arthritis, and others.89

Adipose tissue is not only a storage organ for triglycerides, but also studies have shown the role of white adipose tissue as a producer of certain biologically active substances called adipokines.90

In mammals, white adipose tissue (WAT) stores and releases lipids, while brown adipose tissue (BAT) oxidizes lipids to promote thermogenesis. In obese individuals, WAT undergoes profound changes; it enlarges, becomes dysfunctional, and develops into a state of low-grade inflammation.91 Adipose tissue is the source of pro-inflammatory activity, so it is called obesity-related inflammatory activity.92 Withal, adipose tissue itself is an endocrine organ that can secrete a variety of body fluid mediators, such as adipokines, which can induce or reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.93 Some studies have provided evidence that rodent models have demonstrated that fat inflammation pathways play an important role in diet and obesity-related metabolic disorders, and mRNA microarrays and secretion profiles of human adipose tissue and fat cells have identified similar inflammatory pathways in the obesity Inflammation pathway activated by endotoxin.94

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between dietary inflammatory index and age, and aging is also closely related to elevated systemic inflammation markers. It is important to pay attention to how to measure these indicators in the context of dietary intervention. The levels of acute-phase response factor c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the blood of the elderly tend to increase during the aging process. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), chronically elevated protein in the acute phase is a risk indicator of high mortality. The mortality rate of patients with elevated serum CRP over the age of 60 is 2.7 times higher than that of patients below this threshold (0.30 mg/dl).95,96

Chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-level non-specific body inflammation state. Studies have shown that chronic inflammation is related to cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.97 In addition, studies have shown that the occurrence of old age frailty is accompanied by changes in an inflammatory state. Inflammatory factors induce cell senescence through oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and other pathways, causing tissue, organ, and system damage, which greatly increases the risk of debilitating or age-related chronic diseases.98 A large number of studies have proved that diet plays an important regulatory role in chronic inflammation. Different dietary patterns and dietary ingredients will produce different inflammatory effects. Aging is also a contributing factor to inflammation caused by diet. The underlying mechanism remains to be studied, but it can be simply assumed that old age is related to a more unhealthy and unbalanced diet, which may lead to higher DII scores in the elderly population. Human aging is accompanied by changes that may impair food acquisition, digestion, and metabolism. Many conditions, such as disability, acute and chronic diseases, may affect the nutritional status of elderly patients. There is convincing evidence that diet changes with age, which may promote inflammation, which may help increase or maintain obesity, especially abdominal obesity, in most people who are overweight or obese.99101

Inflammation is a key component of the innate immune systems ability to clear infections and repair injured tissues. Inflammation is caused by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from innate immune cells. In addition to the effects on the periphery, cytokines can also communicate with the brain and cause a series of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes collectively referred to as disease behavior.102,103 Of particular relevance to this review is that peripheral inflammation has been shown to induce depression-like behaviors in animal models, including decreased exploratory, novelty, and social behavior, decreased food intake; and sleep disorders. These disease behaviors are considered an adaptive response designed to reduce the spread of infection and promote healing. However, long-term inflammatory signaling, such as when the inflammatory response is maintained by continuous psychosocial stress, may have adverse effects, including the risk of depression and other mental illnesses.104

Research conducted in the past few decades has clarified the mechanism by which peripheral inflammation can enter the brain to affect neural processes related to depression, including neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter systems, and neuroendocrine functions. For example, inflammatory cytokines can alter neuroplasticity by reducing the expression of the brain-derived neuroprotective hormone BDNF. Inflammation can also cause changes in the dopaminergic system, which is related to depression. A single injection of high doses of LPS (5 mg/kg) can cause the degeneration of the dopaminergic system in the brain, especially in the substantia nigra and striatum.105107 In addition, the use of IFN- for chronic treatment in non-human primates leads to a decrease in the synthesis and availability of dopamine in the striatum, which is related to a reduction in sucrose consumption that depends on effort. A large number of experimental studies conducted in rodents have shown that the release of dopamine and the reduction of dopamine receptor binding are closely related to the defects of reward motivation behavior in depression.108

In addition to the effect on dopamine, inflammation can also affect the serotonin system through changes in tryptophan metabolism. Under normal, healthy conditions, approximately 5% of tryptophan is metabolized to serotonin, and 95% of tryptophan is metabolized through the kynurenine pathway. The metabolism of tryptophan through the kynurenine pathway can be converted into neurotoxic 3-hydroxykynurenine (OHK) and quinolinic acid (QUIN) or neuroprotective kynurenine.109,110 The way tryptophan is metabolized depends on the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). In preclinical models, the use of LPS to activate inflammation increases the activity of IDO, thereby assigning more tryptophan metabolism to the kynurenine pathway instead of serotonin synthesis, ultimately leading to serotonin deficiency. In preclinical models, LPS-induced depressive behavior is mediated by IDO activation. It is worth noting that inflammation and IDO both affect glutamate metabolism, which may also play a role in depression.111

In addition, inflammation has a powerful effect on the neuroendocrine system. Inflammatory cytokines may indirectly up-regulate glucocorticoids in the body by interfering with the functional ability of glucocorticoid receptors, leading to the continuous synthesis of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the continuous activation of the HPA axis, which have long been associated with the pathogenesis of depression-related. This process can be self-sustaining because long-term elevated glucocorticoids can stimulate the production of neuroinflammation by activating microglia (resident immune cells in the brain).112

Diet affects inflammation, but there are currently few studies on how diet affects inflammation markers. One theory is that a pro-inflammatory diet can increase the levels of inflammatory cytokines by affecting oxidative stress and immune mechanisms. Related studies have shown that macrophages will produce free radicals and release them into tissues after ingesting a pro-inflammatory diet. Free radicals promote cell oxidative stress. Excess free radicals are usually associated with increased inflammation, that is, pro-inflammatory diets can cause inflammation in the blood. The release of sex factors is enhanced, causing inflammation. Research by Barrera et al showed that Western diet can cause postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and through non-enzymatic glycosylation and glucose-induced NADH: NAD ratio imbalance mechanism to generate reactive oxygen species to increase inflammation and oxidative stress and mediate Expression of inflammatory factors CRP, IL-6, IL-1. Increasingly, the diet is the main medium for the function of the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.113,114 A German study showed that in mice fed a pro-inflammatory diet, the integrity of the intestinal immune cell barrier can be disturbed or lost, that is, through different mechanisms to cause intestinal cytotoxic effects, inhibit adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and Causes the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, activates the mouse NLRP3 inflammasome, and mediates the release of IL-1, that is, diet can directly and indirectly (through the intestinal microbiota) provide a rich source of biologically active substances, and produce local and systemic effects on immune function. Influence and mediate the development of inflammatory response. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory diet, the Mediterranean diet, can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors by reducing the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in the intestine, improving the intestinal barrier function, and reducing endotoxins, thereby reducing metabolic endotoxemia, inflammation, and The subsequent occurrence of metabolic diseases.115,116

The DII/E-DII is a summary measure for assessing the inflammatory potential of the diet. The construct validity of the DII and E-DII has been determined against inflammatory biomarkers in several different populations. Overall, these validated results support the notion that diet plays an essential role in modifying inflammation. Diets can be either pro-inflammatory or antiinflammatory, depending on the hormonal responses they generate.117 A pro-inflammatory diet may increase the chronic, persistent activation of the immune system, which leads to low-grade inflammation. Activation of immune cells, especially polymorphonuclear leukocytes, leads to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress. It is not well understood how oxidative stress leads to the development of depression. However, the most likely hypothesis is that the brain neuronal cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress due to their requirement of higher oxygen consumption and consequent generation of ROS, as well as a relatively weak antioxidant defense. ROS activates inflammasomes such as NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR and pyrin domain-containing protein 3), a cytoplasmic protein complex that modulates innate immune function by activating caspase-1, which increases pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL1b.118,119 ROS also can regulate inflammatory processes by activation of transcription factors, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kb) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) that lead to increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Conversely, these cytokines either: 1) stimulate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) to convert tryptophan to kynurenine which is transformed into the neurotoxic quinolinic acid; or 2) exert an effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which is linked to a reduction in hippocampal volumes, impaired neuronal plasticity, and decreased neurochemical functioning, resulting in DepS.120,121

Another potential mechanism through which diet may influence DepS includes the brain-gut-microbiota axis, a bilateral communication network between the intestine and brain. The intestinal microbiota and diet play an essential role in these gut-brain interactions and be involved in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, including depression. Depression is associated with an altered gut microbiota composition, richness, and diversity.122,123 First, the neurotransmitter serotonin may have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Tryptophan, the main precursor of serotonin, is predominantly produced (>90%) by the gut microbiota. It is evident that the consumption of probiotics, specifically, Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., affect mood by influencing serotonin levels. Second, in some preclinical studies in mice, consumption of a typical Western diet (high in animal protein and fat, low in fiber) led to a marked decrease in the numbers of total bacteria and a proportional reduction of beneficial Bifidobacterium or Eubacterium species leading to diet-induced dysbiosis. This phenomenon results in increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa, also known as leaky gut, which may increase the immune response and chronic neuroinflammation. This, in turn, stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which occurs when bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharides from the bacterial cell wall binding to circulating macrophages or monocytes.124126

A growing body of evidence supports the potential use of dietary interventions as adjunctive treatments for mental disorders. This review identified many ways that diet may affect mental health. These include pathways that regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut microbiota, tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism, HPA axis, neurogenesis and BDNF, epigenetics, and obesity (Figure 1). However, we do acknowledge that there are many other potential mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of depression. These mechanisms are not mentioned in this article, but all of them can further reduce the risk of depression through dietary interventions, such as dietary effects on leptin, adiponectin, and mitochondrial biosynthesis. Research highlights the potential of restricting pro-inflammatory diets and/or supporting anti-inflammatory diets in reducing the risk of depression. However, more prospective longitudinal studies and improved methods are needed to confirm the current findings.

Figure 1 The possible main mechanism of dietary inflammatory index and depression.

Community Cohort Study on Specialized Nervous System Diseases (No.2017YFC0907701).

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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60. Riddhi S, Nour M, Memet E, et al. Mediterranean diet components are linked to greater endothelial function and lower inflammation in a pilot study of ethnically diverse women. Nutr Res. 2020;75:7784. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2020.01.004

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Dietary Inflammation Index and Mental System Diseases | JIR - Dove Medical Press

Experts have long known that animal products like beef, lamb, pork and veal have a disproportionately negative impact on the environment. Raising animals requires more water and land and generates more greenhouse gases than growing protein-rich plants does.

This is a win-win for individuals and our environment, Dr. Lichtenstein said. However, she cautioned, if a plant-based diet is overloaded with refined carbohydrates and sugars, it will raise the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And she discouraged relying on popular plant-based meat alternatives that are ultra-processed and often high in sodium, unhealthy fats and calories, and that may not be ecologically sound to produce.

To protect both the environment and human health, the committee advised shifting ones diet away from tropical oils coconut, palm and palm kernel as well as animal fats (butter and lard) and partially hydrogenated fats (read the nutrition label). Instead, use liquid plant oils like corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower, canola, nut and olive. They have been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by about 30 percent, an effect comparable to taking a statin drug.

As for beverages, the committee endorsed the current national dietary guideline to avoid drinks with added sugars (including honey and concentrated fruit juice). If you dont currently drink alcohol, the committee advised against starting; for those who do drink, limit consumption to one to two drinks a day.

All told, the dietary patterns that the committee outlined can go far beyond reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes. They can also protect against Type 2 diabetes and a decline of kidney function, and perhaps even help foster better cognitive abilities and a slower rate of age-related cognitive decline.

The earlier in life a wholesome dietary pattern begins, the better, Dr. Lichtenstein said. It should start preconception, not after someone has a heart attack, and reinforced through nutrition education in school, K through 12.

And during annual checkups, Dr. Eckel said, primary care doctors should devote three to five minutes of the visit to a lifestyle interview, asking patients how many servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains they consume and whether they read nutrition labels.

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Your Heart and Diet: A Heart-Healthy Way to Eat - The New York Times

Eating meat has never been less popular in the UK. A study published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health found that the UK's daily meat consumption has fallen by 17% in the last decade. But while the public are shying away from eating meat, we're not yet a nation of plant-based eaters, with just 2% of the UK population describing themselves as vegan.

So if we're eating less meat, but we're not willing to go fully plant based, just how are we eating? Well, 13% of the UK public now describe themselves as flexitarians or 'casual vegetarians'. On that diet, plant-based eating is encouraged, but meat eating isn't outlawed. It's also a diet that its devotees use to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health, while some use it as a stepping stone to a full vegan diet.

To find out more about the flexitarian diet, we spoke with three leading dieticians, and this is what they told us.

The flexitarian diet can be defined in different ways. Some say that anyone who isn't on either the carnivore or the vegan diet is a flexitarian. And while they're not wrong, the actual diet is a little more nuanced than that.

"A flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian style of eating where consuming more plant-based foods and less meat is encouraged," says Sasha Watkins, registered dietitian and co-founder of Field Doctor. "The diet has been inspired by the evidence that plant-based diets are not only better for our health but also for the planet. The term flexitarian was created from a combination of the words flexible and vegetarian, and as the term flexi denotes, there are no rigid rules or absolutes to this diet, making it accessible for those who are looking to slowly adjust to a more plant-based way of eating."

Farming animals is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while, according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, the production of red meat accounts for 41% of those emissions. Choose to go flexitarian or further isn't just a good choice for you, it's a good choice for the environment too. However, there are still plenty of individual health gains to be had.

"Research indicates that there are several health benefits that can be derived from following a semi-vegetarian diet, such as a lower risk of getting cancer or heart disease, a healthier body weight, improved markers of metabolic health, reduced blood pressure and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes," says Watkins. "This is due to both an increased intake of foods that are lower calorie but rich in antioxidant, fibre and healthy fats from plant foods." You're also eating less processed foods that are higher in unhealthy fats, such as saturated fat.

While no foods are banned on the flexitarian diet, there are some foods that are best avoided. "As always, any good dietary strategy can be undone by eating processed and ultra-processed food on a regular basis," says dietician and founder of City Dieticians, Sophie Medlin. "I see lots of patients who move to vegan diets for perceived health benefits but replace meat with ultra-processed vegan foods and get sick as a result. If youre going to start incorporating vegan or vegetarian foods into your diet, be sure to choose un-processed protein alternatives such as pulses, tofu and soya."

While processed meats should be off the menu, some meat is needed on the flexitarian diet, and according to Watkins you should always go for quality not quantity.

"The World Cancer Research Fund advised that you avoid processed meat completely," says Watkins. "We do, however, need protein in our diet for maintaining and repairing our muscles, but we currently eat more of it than we need to in the UK. We dont need to eat meat every day and when we do, I advise eating less but better quality.

"Studies show that there are some differences in the nutritional composition of organic grass-fed vs grain fed beef. Organic grass-fed beef usually contains less saturated fats, more omega-3 fatty acids and contains more vitamin A, E and other nutrients like antioxidants. Knowing where your meat comes from is also important for ethical and environmental reasons."

In addition to grass-fed beef, oily fish is also an important component of the flexitarian diet. "I would not cut our lean sources of red meat because it contains lots of iron flexitarian diets are low in iron," says Dr Mayur Ranchordas, sports nutritionist at Sheffield Hallam University. "Also, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines to get Omega-3. It makes sense to eat servings of these each week."

You should be able to get most of your nutrition from food on a well-planned flexitarian diet. However, in general, there are some nutrient deficiencies to be aware of when you cut down on animal products. This includes the following:

"This is a vitamin that is important for normal function of the nervous system, blood cell formation, energy and mood," says Watkins. "It is only found in animal products, so depending on how stringent you are when excluding animal products, you may need to take a supplement for this. Good food sources are fortified nutritional yeast, yeast extract, fortified cereals, such as bran flakes, or plant milks, such as soya milk. The UK Reference Intake advises that people should be having 1.5mcg per day."

"Zinc is needed for multiple processes in the body, for example in DNA synthesis and for brain function, and we need a daily supply of it as it is not stored in our body," says Watkins. "Good food sources are fortified nutritional yeast flakes, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, tempeh, quinoa and brown rice. Men are advised to take 9.5mg/day and women 7.5mg."

"Adults need 700mg of calcium a day for healthy bones, teeth and to prevent blood clotting," says Watkins. "Dairy products are a rich source, so choose fortified plant milks, tofu, kale, sesames seeds or even tempeh for a plant boost of calcium."

"Iron is needed to make haemoglobin found in your red blood cells. Iron is found in plant foods but is more easily absorbed from animal products," says Watkins. "Substances called phytates, found in some plant foods, reduce the amount of iron that is available to your body. When eating a rich source of iron, such as spinach, kale or legumes, combine the meals with a food high in vitamin C to aid absorption, such as oranges, peppers or a kiwi. Aim for 8.7mg for men and 14.8mg for women a day."

"Milk and dairy are a key source for iodine in our diets," says Watkins. "Iodine is a crucial component of a thyroid hormone called thyroxine needed for a range of bodily processes and a healthy metabolism. If cutting down on milk foods, choose fortified dairy alternatives. The UK Reference Intake is 140mcg per day."

"Flexitarians should be wary of getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet if they are cutting down on fatty fish," says Watkins. "Plant-based sources of omega-3 include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds and flaxseeds."

Photographer, Basak Gurbuz DermanGetty Images

As we said previously, your diet should be able to satisfy all your nutritional needs, but, we all live busy lives and it may not always be possible to get enough of key vitamins or minerals from your food (such as B12 and omega-3). In that case you might need to choose a fortified food product or supplement to fill the gap. As Watkins says, however, "be careful not to overdose on mega strength supplements or believe all the claims, as these can also be harmful, and the vitamin industry is not regulated. If you think you need some help with your diet, please go see your GP or a registered dietitian."

Both Watkins and Ranchordas agree that one vitamin we should all be supplementing, especially in winter is vitamin D. "One vitamin we cannot get from our diet is vitamin D [it is produced in our skin when we are in the sun], so it is advised everyone takes a vitamin D supplement of 10mcg. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which is needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy," says Watkins.

People have different needs so there's no one perfect diet, but done correctly, the flexitarian diet is undoubtedly a very healthy way of eating and has the added benefit of being eco-friendly too.

"I think that a flexitarian diet, if it is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, oily fish with moderate meat and dairy and low in processed, sugary and fatty foods, mirrors the Mediterranean Diet," says Watkins. "This dietary pattern is the most researched diet in the world and there is substantial, quality evidence to show that it can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, is linked with less weight gain, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, better gut health, improved mental health and healthier ageing."

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Flexitarian Diet: Everything You Need to Know - Men's health UK

The words chronic inflammation are bandied around on the regular. We're well-aware by now that this something we dont want, but before we dive into how to avoid it... what does it actually mean?

When tissues in our body encounter damage, they release signals called inflammatory cytokines to flag the body to send blood and healing nutrients to the site to hasten the repair process, says Paul Kriegler, RD, director of nutrition product development at Life Time. While this response is incredibly helpful, if tissues in the body encounter damage faster than they can be repaired, we call it chronic inflammation. In short, chronic inflammation is an imbalance of damage relative to the ability to restore homeostasis.

A new study published in the journal Neurology now indicates that people who consume a greater amount of pro-inflammatory foodsassessed via the diet inflammatory index (DII), a scoring algorithm that provides an estimate of the inflammatory potential of foodswere associated with an increased risk for dementia and cognitive decline.

The data presented in this new anti-inflammatory diet study suggests that participants who tended to choose less-processed, more nutrient-dense foods had lower incidence of dementia, which is not surprising, says Kriegler. More wholesome foods make it easier to manage appetite, energy intake, and physical wellness. That said, he underlines that the study has limitations. Namely, that there wasnt a specified diet tested against other dietary patterns in a highly controlled manner. Instead, it was an observational study.

But thats not the only limitation. The DII scoring system has some limitations in and of itself according to Kriegler, namely that it was developed for typical dietary choices in the U.S. population and hasnt been fully adapted to other cuisines or food cultures around the world. The anti-inflammatory diet study solely used participants from Greece. The DII system also seems to have biases against some very nutrient-dense, animal-based foods, such as organ meats, and favorably scores some nutrient-poor foods, such as highly-processed vegetable oils, that may in fact be pro-inflammatory for many individuals, Kriegler says.

Study limitations aside, the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet are plentiful. Anti-inflammatory diets emphasize minimally-processed foods such as fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, seafood, poultry, monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, and whole grains instead of refined grains. They also minimize consumption of trans fats, refined or added sugars, alcohol, and fried foods, says Kriegler. You dont need to have RD credentials to conclude that those are all healthy traits.

But lets get more granular with a look at specific foods that can be particularly healingand a few that may be triggeringwhen it comes to inflammation with the ultimate goal of not only mitigating the risk of dementia, but boosting overall well-being.

Wild-caught fish are rich sources of two key omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both of these omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show that people who eat fish regularly are less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke, or develop Alzheimers disease, and higher red-blood cell omega-3 content is associated with better maintenance of strength and cognition throughout the lifecycle, says Kriegler.

According to Kriegler, non-starchy vegetables and fruits are extremely nutrient-dense. "The bang-for-your-buck concept of nutrient-density means that relative to the energy these foods supply, they also provide ample vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the body needs to combat inflammation and facilitate tissue repair, he says.

Fresh meat, poultry, eggs, pork, and wild game or organ meats are excellent sources of the amino acids we need to maintain or repair all the lean tissues and structures in the body. These foods are also excellent at helping manage satiety or fullness and also help us maintain more stable blood sugars when we include them with each meal, says Kriegler.

Many fresh or dried herbs and spices contain antioxidants and polyphenols that can help stabilize free radicals generated by other inflammatory compounds, and somesuch as curcumin in turmeric or some compounds in gingerare known to help up-regulate anti-inflammatory cytokines.

According to Kriegler, foods with a high amount of added sugar can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, as can industrial seed oils such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil. Alcohol is another pro-inflammatory agent, he says. "When alcohol is metabolized in the liver, the byproducts are highly inflammatory and create a great deal of oxidative stress, which can damage cells and tissues throughout the body. Alcohol also lowers inhibitions and can disrupt healthy blood sugar balance, Kriegler says.

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The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Was Just Linked to a Lowered Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Decline - Well+Good

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone or for a protein called HER2. As such, TNBC does not respond to certain treatments for other types of breast cancer.

Although there are currently no set dietary recommendations for people with TNBC, studies show that diet may influence the development and progression of cancer. Moreover, a nutritious diet can help a person maintain their strength, energy levels, and overall health while undergoing cancer treatment.

This article outlines the nutrition needs of people living with TNBC. It also lists foods to eat and avoid, meal-planning tips, and recipe ideas for people living with cancer and those undergoing cancer treatment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) advises that good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment.

A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help a person with cancer make dietary changes that may assist with the following:

A doctor or dietitian can advise a person on how to consume enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support their overall health. They may suggest the following:

Certain foods contain compounds that can influence gene expression and cancer progression. However, cancer is a complex disease, and compounds that are beneficial in some cancers and for some people may not be beneficial in others.

A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, helps provide the vitamins and minerals a person needs for their overall health.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises that people consume the below foods to promote overall health and reduce the risk of certain diseases, including some cancers.

A 2019 meta-analysis concluded that a dietary pattern of consuming fruit, vegetables, and whole grains has a stronger link to a reduced risk of breast cancer than a dietary pattern of eating red and processed meats and animal fats. However, certain factors can influence these results, including whether a person is pre- or post-menopausal and whether their breast cancer is hormone-dependent.

Many studies have found a link between a Western dietary pattern high in ultra-processed foods and added sugars and an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer.

Western dietary patterns also tend to be very high in calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Females with excess weight or obesity are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Additionally, a 2021 study found that obesity had correlations with shorter, disease-free survival and overall survival among TNBC patients.

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that derive from plants. Research shows many phytochemical compounds have anticancer properties.

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors switch genes on or off. A 2020 review investigating epigenetic regulation and dietary control of TNBC indicated that the following phytochemicals could help manage the disease:

However, the authors acknowledge that the body may not absorb the active molecules in these compounds effectively. Additionally, scientists do not fully understand how these phytochemicals interact with one another.

Soy contains compounds called isoflavones that can act similarly to the hormone estrogen. But research into the effects of soy on breast cancer has yielded conflicting results. Since TNBC is not a hormone-responsive breast cancer, soy is unlikely to have any effect on its progression.

However, a 2017 study looked at gene expression in women with TNBC. The researchers found that those with high soy intake pre-diagnosis had more tumor suppressor genes and fewer cell growth-related genes. This suggests soy consumption may have some protective effects.

However, it is worth noting that this study only involved participants in China. Soy is much more prevalent in the diets of Chinese and Japanese populations than those of Western populations. As a result, these findings may not apply to people in different parts of the world.

The ACS advises people to limit or avoid the following foods and beverages:

A smaller 2016 study investigating TNBC in women with dense breasts found that people who ate the following foods had a higher risk of developing this type of cancer:

The ketogenic or keto diet is a high fat, very low carbohydrate, and moderate protein diet. This dietary approach induces a process called ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fats for fuel.

The NCI advises that although a keto diet is difficult to follow, it is generally safe. The organization explains that the purpose of the diet is to decrease the amount of glucose the tumor cells need in order to grow and reproduce.

A 2019 review of ketogenic diets in treating cancer suggests such diets may enhance the efficacy of treatments and increase patients quality of life. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these effects. Additionally, there is currently no research on the keto diet specifically for people with TNBC.

If a person with TNBC is interested in trying a ketogenic diet, they should discuss it with their medical team to check whether or not it is safe and appropriate for their specific health needs.

Following specific dietary patterns may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. They may also help support overall health and improve treatment outcomes in those undergoing treatment for TNBC.

The following meal-planning tips derive from the research and recommendations above:

Although these tips help promote overall health and can help ensure a person is getting the nutrients they need, it is not always possible for an individual with cancer to eat in a specific way. Often, cancer treatments take their toll on appetite and energy and could lead to symptoms such as nausea and taste changes.

Getting enough calories and protein and maintaining body weight and muscle mass are most important for people with cancer. If someone can only tolerate specific foods and textures, that is perfectly fine. The focus should be on eating whatever foods are tolerable, whether health experts consider them healthy or not.

If anyone has specific questions about diet and TNBC, or breast cancer in general, they can speak with their healthcare team. A healthcare team, including a registered dietitian specializing in cancer nutrition, can help people develop a plan to help them maintain their energy and support their overall health.

Research has not yet identified an ideal diet for people with TNBC. However, evidence suggests that a whole food diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is beneficial to help prevent cancer and support health during cancer treatment.

Additionally, people living with cancer may benefit from avoiding or limiting their consumption of processed, high fat, and high sugar foods. Some may also consider increasing their intake of certain plant compounds. However, anyone who has a cancer diagnosis or is undergoing treatment for the disease should speak with their oncologist before making significant dietary changes.

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Triple negative breast cancer and diet: Foods to eat and avoid - Medical News Today

Maybe you already know this, but just in case you don't, Red Notice star Dwayne Johnson didnt rise to fame as an actor.

In 1996, Johnson joined the cast of WWE (then WWF), and for eight years he was simply known as The Rock, a charismatic, trash-talking professional wrestler with a major physique to boot.

His big screen star turn happened five years later, when he played the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. The movie was such a hit that Johnson later starred in his own spin-off movie in 2002, The Scorpion King, and also set the Guinness World Record for highest salary for a first-time leading man: $5.5 million dollars.

Since then, The Rock has continued to be a jack-of-all-trades while maintaining the hulking size he's known for.

He left WWE in 2004, but continued to make appearances until announcing his official retirement in 2019. In 2016, was named the worlds highest-paid actor.

He's starred in a slew of action movies, including The Fast and The Furious franchise, GI Joe: Retaliation, and Hercules. But hes also a bona fide comedic actor, as evidenced by the most recent Jumanji movies and his co-starring role in Central Intelligence alongside Kevin Hart. And of course, kids love him as the voice of Maui, the demigod of South Pacific legend, in Moana.

The Rock is also a serious businessman as co-owner of the Extreme Football League (XFL), Teremana tequila and the energy drink Zoa. His Under Armour line, Project Rock, is a hit. And, he co-owns the production company Seven Bucks Productions behind Red Notice, Jumanji and several other blockbusters.

Lets also not forget: As of November 2021, The Rock has the fifth-largest following on Instagram (after Instagram itself, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylie Jenner, and Lionel Messi), where he's famous for sharing his heavy workout routines and even heavier meals.

But despite The Rocks many accomplishmentswe should also mention that he played football at the University of Miami on a full scholarshiphes definitely famous for his extraordinary diet and grueling workout routine.

This is what he eats to keep The Rock "rock" solid.

Muscle and Fitness documented that The Rock once ate 52 ounces of cod per day for years to build his incredibly muscular physique.

Cod was included in six of his seven daily meals, alongside huge portions of various starches, including sweet potatoes (12 ounces), white rice (2 cups), and oatmeal (2 cups). Each meal was rounded out with a cup of vegetables, and various add-ins like casein protein, a 10-egg-white-omelet, and a tablespoon of omega-3 fish oil.

In 2016, he recounted a similar daily diet to People Magazine, although he reported swapping out cod for proteins like beef, chicken, and bison.

In a recent interview with Delish, he addressed rumors about his diet: I can confirm it to a certain degree that I was eating many pounds of food per day including a lot of cod, he said. And as a matter of fact, I just recently transitioned my cod meals of the day to salmon. He also said that for years, he was eating between 6,000 and 8,000 calories per day.

Now, he says as of November 2021, his diet is pretty much the same as its always been. Hes eating between five and six meals per day, sometimes seven.

He wakes up to a bowl of cream of rice or oatmeal alongside some buffalo and some eggs. On his Instagram, you can find him starting the day with a rich bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts, strawberries, and apples.

After a workout, he eats a bowl or rice (or another fast-acting carb" he describes to Delish, which means that it digests quickly), and chicken.

For his third meal, hell eat rice again alongside chicken or buffalo, and add some greens alongside.

He has two or three more similar meals, and then before bed, he has some kind of protein (like casein powder), carbs, and greens.

To keep hydrated, The Rock also drinks a ton of water; anywhere from 2.5 to 3 gallons per day. And while he doesnt drink coffee, he does take in caffeine from Zoa, his own brand of energy drink.

But theres room for fun in The Rocks diet. Hes practically famous for once-per-week cheat days.

Recently, he posted a plate of fries and two bacon-cheeseburgers alongside a glass of tequila. In October, he showed a delicious looking stack of coconut-lemon pancakes. And hes getting into the holiday spirit, too, with the latest ice cream flavors to come out of his Dwanta Claus (Johnsons alter ego) collaboration with Salt and Straw. All five of them including PB&J Coconut Banana Pancakes and Chocolate Gooey Brownie, among others sound delicious. And hes no teetotaler; the same Instagram post revealed a freezer shelf full of Teremana Tequila, his own label.

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The Rock Diet - What Dwayne Johnson Eats in a Day - menshealth.com

With 2022 rearing its hopefully not so ugly head around the corner, many started thinking about possible new year's resolutions. What's it going to be this year? Same as always, of course! My new year's resolution for 2022 will be to start eating like the "Liver King".

The man behind the Liver King phenomenon is Brian Johnson, an American bodybuilder who promotes "ancestral living", a sort-of paleo lifestyle that includes hunting-gathering and eating as little processed food as possible.

Brian wasn't always used to living the way he does now. After his sons developed severe allergy, he and his wife tried removing processed food from their diets as a last resort to make them feel better. "Two decades later, I eat a pound of liver every single day", the Liver King explains on his website, "I walk barefoot down to the lake and subject my body to cold temperatures. I sleep on the floor. I lift heavy things. I fight, I hunt. I struggle. I overcome."

Brian is not the first person to promote a different approach to bodybuilding, albeit he's slightly different from the plant-based athletes who you see very often parading their shredded physique around on Instagram. Naturally, the Liver King also has an Instagram account, but instead of chowing down on pea protein and tofu, he opts in to have raw liver and scooped out bone marrow for tea:

Now, I tend to cook my own food (chicken, rice and broccoli, baby!), and I'm not a vegan either, but my diet is a far cry from the Liver King's feasts. He's a big guy a true burly man but even if I scaled down his diet to better match my calorific needs, I don't think I could stomach quite so many raw ingredients without throwing up in the process, at least a couple of times.

I can only assume Brian started by eating less intense stuff at first, but nowadays, he squeezes eggs out of a fish straight into his mouth and eats raw testicles for dinner (needless to say, these posts might be NSFW for some people). Not to everyone's taste, so to speak, although even he admits his lifestyle might be controversial in one of his Instagram posts.

If you find his way of eating like a cave dweller admirable like I do, it's important to bear in mind that there is a reason why we cook food: to remove bacteria, or at least to reduce the chance of getting ill from consuming heap loads of them. Raw meat from a supermarket is generally safe to consume when used as intended (as in, cooked), but I'm not sure if I want to gobble up breast portions from chicken raised in a cage.

As well as eating meat au naturel, the Liver King also works out like a beast. In one of his IG posts (linked above), he goes on a 1-mile walk while wearing 20 Lb. ankle weights, pulling a 195 Lb. sled, carrying a 100 Lb. backpack and holding 97 Lb. kettlebells in each hand. Sure thing! The best full-body workout for troglodytes.

He does other stuff, too, such as standard dumbbell floor press and resistance band pecs flys, exercises we can all do at home. Of course, Brian also likes to do overhead presses with massive tree branches, but I guess it's something we would expect from a guy who promotes ancestral living, right?

Would I recommend the Liver King's diet as a good example? Not necessarily. I agree that eating less processed food is better for you in general but chowing down on raw animal meat is not a sustainable way of existing, both from a diet and the planet's point of view.

Health concerns aside, sticking to a restricted diet such as the Liver King's takes a significant psychological toll on the mind. Our bodies are infinitely adaptable, but going on a raw meat diet is not feasible for most people living in an urban environment. It's not like you can take a plastic container full of chopped liver to the office and have it at your desk.

Nevertheless, I think I'll try to cut down on processed food next year and see where it takes me. I will probably still occasionally have protein powder and weight gainers, but I will have more nuts and fewer Mars bars in between meals. No testicles, thank you.

As for the workouts, even the Liver King uses adjustable dumbbells and kettlebells, so I just carry on lifting as usual. Maybe I start wearing my weighted vest when I go for runs more often.

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The diet of bodybuilder "Liver King" excites and horrifies me at the same time - T3

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The debate over whether a meat-based or vegan diet is healthy or not has been going on for years and is likely to linger on for decades.

The discourse has now evolved to on-ground and social media campaigns as each group tries to boast the benefits of their eating in innovative and sometimes scientific ways.

As the opinions, observations, and recommendations about vegan and meat-based food are highly subjective, it's not possible to come to one conclusion.

But now, a set of identical twins have come up with a more pragmatic approach in deciding what is best or 'healthieast'.

Hugo and Ross Turner participated in a study that involved one of them going on a plant-based diet while the other ate meat.

Hugo stopped eating meat and dairy for 12 weeks and Ross decided to stick to a diet that had meat, fish, and dairy.

The experiment, which was actually part of a study by Kings College London, saw the two consume the same amount of calories each day and carry out the same gym exercises.

I was on the vegan diet and it really does take a hit on your body," Hugo told BBC, admitting the switch to a plant-based diet wasn't easy.

He said he was eating a lot more fruits and nuts than he used to. This meant his sugar levels were satiated during the day and he had more energy. On the other hand, his meat-eating twin brother said he felt 'very energetic' on some days and low on other days. In other words, his energy levels werent consistent.

But Hugo's energy levels were pretty much the same throughout his diet.

Another notable difference was the change in their gut bacteria. Hugo said the diversity of his gut bacteria dropped but his brother's remained the same.

By the end of 12-weeks, Hugo saw drops in his total body weight and cholesterol level. But the two said there wasn't 'a huge difference if any'. Hugo dropped from 185 pounds to 181. His brother gained fat and his weight increased to 189 pounds.

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Identical twins go on vegan and meat-based diets for 12 weeks to see what's 'healthiest'- here's what they found - Times Now