A Vegan Diet Epigenetically Modulates Inflammatory Pathways and Biological Aging: Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis of a One-Month Isocaloric Vegan Versus Meat-Rich Dietary Intervention.

L Karbacher, Jerome Mertens, S Kowarschik, A K Lederer, M Ku, R Huber, Maximilian Andreas Storz

Department of Neurosciences University of California San Diego La Jolla California USA.Department of Neurosciences University of California San Diego La Jolla California USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

We explored the epigenomic effects of vegan diet (VD) versus meat-rich diet (MR) and identified mechanisms that help to explain how VD affects epigenetic gene regulation. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in 48 healthy individuals were investigated after a 1-month randomized isocaloric dietary intervention comparing effects of a VD versus a MR. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed changes in differentially methylated positions following dietary intervention, with the VD group showing a higher degree of gene-promoter silencing in cancer-related pathways and cell growth-associated pathways (mTOR and Hippo). Cell type deconvolution indicated an anti-inflammatory shift in the VD group, characterized by decreased neutrophils and increased CD4

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Research summary

The study claims that a one-month isocaloric vegan diet induces specific DNA methylation changes associated with reduced inflammation and cell growth pathways compared to a meat-rich diet. This research is relevant to longevity as it investigates epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation) linked to biological aging and inflammatory pathways, which are root causes of age-related decline, although the short duration and observational nature of the epigenetic shifts limit its immediate transformative impact.

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