Plant-Based Diet for Weight Loss
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests whether a plant-based diet can aid in weight loss and improve health markers like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Participants will follow a low-fat diet consisting of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits for 12 weeks. The researchers aim to determine if this diet can be easily integrated into daily life with guidance as part of a Plant-Based Weight-Loss Program. Suitable candidates have been trying to lose weight, are willing to follow a plant-based diet, and can adhere to a set routine. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore the benefits of a plant-based diet for weight loss and health improvement.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires that you can maintain your current medication regimen.
What prior data suggests that this plant-based weight-loss program is safe?
Research shows that plant-based diets are generally safe and easy to follow. Studies have found that people on a low-fat plant-based diet often lose weight and see improvements in their body measurements. For instance, one study found that this diet helped reduce body weight and body fat, and even reversed obesity in some cases.
Another study noted that a low-fat plant-based diet could lower overall calorie intake, leading to weight loss. Importantly, these studies did not report major side effects, indicating that the diet is safe for most people. Participants often reported feeling less hungry, which might make it easier to stick with the diet.
Overall, the evidence suggests that a low-fat plant-based diet is not only effective for weight loss but is also safe for most people to follow.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike the typical weight loss treatments that often involve medications or strict calorie restrictions, the plant-based weight-loss program is unique because it emphasizes a whole-food, low-fat diet composed entirely of grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. This approach is distinct as it excludes animal products and added oils, allowing participants to eat without limiting their energy intake. Researchers are excited because this method not only promotes weight loss but also encourages sustainable eating habits and may improve overall health by focusing on nutrient-dense, plant-based foods.
What evidence suggests that this plant-based weight-loss program is effective for weight loss?
Research has shown that plant-based diets can aid in weight loss. In several studies, individuals following vegetarian diets lost about 2 kg more than those on other diets. Another review found that 75% of the studies reported significant weight loss, with an average of about 5 kg lost. This trial will evaluate a low-fat, plant-based diet, which previous research has shown to result in a noticeable decrease in body fat. Overall, these diets have proven effective in reducing body weight, making them a promising choice for managing weight.46789
Who Is on the Research Team?
VANITA RAHMAN, MD
Principal Investigator
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for men and women over 18 who want to lose weight and may have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or lipid disorders. Participants should not be using recreational drugs, pregnant, or planning pregnancy during the study. They must speak English fluently and commit to the study's requirements without changing their current medication.Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants follow a 12-week plant-based, weight-loss program with weekly education and support sessions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Plant-Based Weight-Loss Program
Trial Overview
The trial is testing a low-fat plant-based diet in an office setting for 12 weeks to see if it's practical and effective. It will measure changes in body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels (plasma lipids), blood sugar control (glycated hemoglobin), and body composition.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
For 12 weeks, participants will follow a diet comprised of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, with no restriction on energy intake. Animal products and added oils will be excluded. Except for light refreshments and tastings at the group sessions, no meals will be provided. Participants will handle their own food preparation and purchases, with guidance from the education team, with no restriction on energy intake.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Lead Sponsor
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
A plant-based diet for overweight and obesity prevention ...
[10] Among the 12 studies reviewed, participants randomized to some type of vegetarian diet lost an average of −2.02 kg more than the participants assigned a ...
A Review of Plant-Based Diets for Obesity Management
Among the intervention trials evaluated, 75% showed a significant increase in weight loss or decrease in weight in the intervention group, on average −5.0 ...
NCT02906072 | Low Fat Plant-based Diet Effects on Body ...
The investigators hypothesise that low-fat plant based diet supplemented with meal replacements eaten ad libitum allows a significant reduction of body fat ...
The benefits of plant-based nutrition: Obesity & weight ...
The 2017 BROAD study found that a WFPB diet resulted in similar weight loss at 12 months compared to other diets such as low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet, ...
5.
nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com
nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12986-025-00912-5Vegan diet, processed foods, and body weight
In clinical trials, low-fat, plant-based diets have been shown to significantly reduce body weight [1, 2], among other benefits. However, among ...
Plant-Based Diet as a Strategy for Weight Control - PMC
Both groups reported reduced hunger and reduced disinhibition. The mean weight loss was reported to be 22% for the vegan group in week 74 and 20% for the ADA ...
Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program and ...
The WFPB program led to decreased BMI, body mass, and body fat percentage. Participants experienced a long-term reversal of obesity.
Plant-based diet for obesity treatment
Another 16-week RCT with a low-fat vegan diet among overweight people reported that it reduced body weight by lowering energy intake and ...
The BROAD study: A randomised controlled trial using a ...
This extremely restrictive approach has shown in one case series an average 63.9 (SD±17.2) kg weight loss for 106 patients. The whole food ...
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