Habitual low carbohydrate high fat diet compared with omnivorous, vegan, and vegetarian diets

Abstract

BackgroundDietary patterns which exclude whole food groups, such as vegetarian, vegan and low carbohydrate high fat diet (LCHF), are increasingly popular in general public. When carefully planned, all these diets have some known benefits for health, but concerns are also raised in particular for LCHF. The quality of LCHF diet which individuals follow in real life without supervision is not known.MethodsOne hundred thirty healthy individuals with stable body mass following LCHF, vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous diet for at least six months, were compared in a cross-sectional study. Diet was analyzed through 3-day food records and FFQ, anthropometric measurements were performed and serum metabolic biomarkers determined from fasting blood.ResultsParticipants on LCHF diet had the intakes of micronutrients comparable to other groups, while the intakes of macronutrients differed in line with the definition of each diet. The intakes of saturated fats, cholesterol and animal proteins were significantly higher and the intakes of sugars and dietary fibers were lower compared to other groups. Healthy eating index 2015 in this group was the lowest. There were no differences in the levels of glucose, triacylglycerols and CRP among groups. Total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in LCHF group, in particular in participants with higher ketogenic ratio. Fatty acids intakes and intakes of cholesterol, dietary fibers and animal proteins explained 40% of variance in total cholesterol level, with saturated fatty acids being the strongest positive predictor and monounsaturated fatty acids a negative predictor.ConclusionNone of the self-advised diets provided all the necessary nutrients in optimal levels. Due to the detected increased levels of serum cholesterols, selection of healthy fat sources, higher intake of dietary fibers and partial replacing of animal sources with plant sources of foods should be recommended to the individuals selecting LCFH dietary pattern.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04347213.

Does Dietary Supplement Use Increase Micronutrient Intake Adequacy in Healthy Adults with Habitual Omnivorous, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diets?

“…The participants were divided into four groups based on nutritional pattern: omnivorous, vegan, vegetarian, and LCHF groups ( Table 1 ). The groups were comparable in BMI and energy intake, while macronutrient distribution significantly differed among groups [ 2 ] ( Table 1 ). The vegan group reached the highest proportion of recommended intake of carbohydrates, followed by vegetarians and omnivores (84.4%, 54.1%, and 21.6%, respectively).…”

“…On the contrary, all participants in the LCHF group reached the recommended protein intake, while 8.1% of omnivores, 31.2% of vegans, and 35.1% of vegetarians did not reach the RV for protein. The highest intake of dietary fibers was seen in vegans, where 71.9% reached the RV, followed by vegetarians, omnivores, and the LCHF group, where 43.2%, 35.1%, and 8.3% reached the RV [ 2 ].…”

“…Healthy eating index (HEI) was calculated from three-day food diaries for diet quality assessment, as described before [ 2 ].…”

“…Participants completed Lifestyle Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Socio-Economic Questionnaire, as described before [ 2 ].…”

“…The popularity of nutritional patterns excluding whole food groups such as vegetarian, vegan, and low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diets are rising in areas where the traditional diet has been omnivorous [ 1 ], such as Europe, including Slovenia [ 2 ]. The vegetarian diet excludes meat, meat products, and often fish, while the vegan diet excludes all foods from animal origin such as milk and milk products, eggs, as well as animal products like honey.…”