Effects of a vegan diet compared to a meat-rich diet on the hemogram and inflammatory profile in healthy individuals: a randomized-controlled study

INTERVENTION: Group 1: An eight‐week vegan dietary intervention that excludes all animal products. Group 2: An eight‐week meat‐rich dietary intervention that includes at least 150 grams of animal flesh (meat) per day. CONDITION: Changes in differential blood counts, parameters of the immune system and intestinal microbiome PRIMARY OUTCOME: Changes in the neutrophil count after an 8‐week dietary intervention; (vegan vs. meat‐rich). SECONDARY OUTCOME: Changes in the following parameters after an eight‐week dietary intervention: ; ; Changes in the lymphocyte count ; Changes in the monocyte count ; Changes in arachidonic acid or eicosanoids in the urine ; Differentiation of lymphocytes including (CD3 T cells, CD4 T helper cells, CD8 cytotoxic T cells, CD19 B cells and CD16/CD56 NK cells) ; Changes in the differential blood count ; Changes in vitamin D metabolism ; Changes in Vitamin B12‐metabolism, as assessed by the cB12‐inde Xby Fedosov et al. ‐ a mathematical model combining four markers (total B12, holotranscobalamin (holoTC, Active‐B12), homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) ; Changes in the amino acid metabolism ; Changes in the microbiological profile of the gut microbiome ; Changes in microbiome metabolites (in particular Glutamine, Leucine, TMAO, Acetate, Glucose, Glycerin, and Cobalamin Analogs) ; Changes in the dietary intake and in the macro‐ and micronutrient distribution / dietary intervention effects on diet quality indices ; Changes in defecation patterns using the Bristol Stool Scale / gastrointestinal quality of life inde Xaccording to Eypasch INCLUSION CRITERIA: Men and women aged 18 to 60 years with a body mass inde X(BMI) between 21 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 will be included in our study.