WHOLE FOOD PLANT BASED DIET: ITS MECHANISMS FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OBESITY

Abstract

Obesity is a metabolic condition with a continuous increasing rate, being considered today a "pandemic". Given that is also associated to a number of other chronic diseases, the need is due for a treatment for this condition that is both effective and healthy in a comprehensive way. In this context, the concepts of lifestyle medicine and plant-based diets have emerged in medicine and in scientific research, and the latter have demonstrated benefits in all these areas and are being part of several cientific association's recommendations today. In this article, a plant-based diet is briefly defined, and the mechanisms by which this type of diet provides benefits for the control of body weight are explored, including the saciety it generates and its characteristic low caloric density, the higher thermic effect of foods, the positive modulation of the gut microbiota, its effects on the insulin sensitivity, the absence of animal protein and how this affects the body weight, and the effects it has on the leptin hormone. This diet has been studied both in observational and interventional sudies, with good results in body weight control. Being a dietary pattern that is safe and heatlhy, it is important to consider it as a good lifestyle for the prevention and treatment of obesity.