(NewsNation) — A recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has uncovered swift and distinct immune system changes in individuals adopting either a vegan or ketogenic (keto) diet.
The small-scale investigation observed participants sequentially adhering to vegan and keto diets for two weeks each.
The vegan diet triggered responses associated with innate immunity (the body’s non-specific first line of defense against pathogens), while the keto diet prompted adaptive immunity responses (pathogen-specific immunity built through exposures in daily life and vaccination).
The study’s “multi-omics” approach delved into biochemical, cellular, metabolic, and immune responses, along with changes to the microbiome. Findings revealed metabolic shifts and alterations in gut bacteria, indicating that dietary changes consistently affect widespread pathways in the body.
The scientific understanding of how different diets impact the human immune system and microbiome is limited.
More research is needed to determine whether these observed changes are beneficial or detrimental and how they may influence nutritional interventions for diseases like cancer or inflammatory conditions.