# Cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins

> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38032644/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38032644/

Cardiometabolic effects of <omnivorous> vs [vegan diets](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Vegan%20diet.txt) in <identical twins>.

## Abstract

> IMPORTANCE: Increasing evidence suggests that, compared with an omnivorous diet, a vegan diet confers potential cardiovascular benefits from improved diet quality (ie, higher consumption of <vegetables>, <legumes>, <fruits>, <whole grains>, <nuts>, and <seeds>).
>
> OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a healthy vegan vs. healthy omnivorous diet on cardio-metabolic measures during an 8-week intervention.
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> DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This single-center, population-based randomized clinical trial of 22 pairs of twins (N = 44) randomized participants to a vegan or omnivorous diet (1 twin per diet). Participant enrollment began March 28, 2022, and continued through May 5, 2022. The date of final follow-up data collection was July 20, 2022. This 8-week, open-label, parallel, dietary randomized clinical trial compared the health impact of a vegan diet vs an omnivorous diet in <identical twins>. Primary analysis included all available data.
>
> INTERVENTION: Twin pairs were randomized to follow a healthy vegan diet or a healthy omnivorous diet for 8 weeks. Diet-specific meals were provided via a meal delivery service from baseline through week 4, and from weeks 5 to 8 participants prepared their own diet-appropriate meals and snacks.
>
> MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was difference in <LDL cholesterol> concentration from baseline to end point (week 8). Secondary outcome measures were changes in cardio-metabolic factors (<plasma lipids>, <glucose>, and <Insulin> levels and serum trimethylamine N-oxide level), plasma <vitamin B12> level, and body weight. Exploratory measures were adherence to study diets, ease or difficulty in following the diets, participant energy levels, and sense of well-being.
>
> CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial of the cardio-metabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in <identical twins>, the healthy vegan diet led to improved cardio-metabolic outcomes compared with a healthy omnivorous diet. Clinicians can consider this dietary approach as a healthy alternative for their patients.

## See also

- <You are what you eat - a twin experiment> (<Netflix> documentary, 2024)
- [Christopher Gardner on Netflix's 'You Are What You Eat'](https://news.stanford.edu/report/2024/01/18/qa-christopher-gardner-featured-netflixs-eat/) (Stanford)
- [The Stanford Twins Experiment: Vegan vs Omnivore Diet in Identical Twins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO64tqkfVrA) (Nutrition made simple)
- [Scientist fact-checks New Netflix Diet Documentary: Vegan vs Omnivore Twins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIJdIax4S9U) (Nutrition made simple)