whole food plant-based

Impact of Adherence to a Plant-Based Residential Lifestyle Medicine Program on Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Factors

25 May 2026

Inankur A, O'Hare D, Arevalo E, Dursus-Élisée R, P Schwartz L, Sterling SR.

Summary

What the study found

This research evaluated how a short-term, plant-based residential lifestyle program affects heart health and metabolic markers. The study found that intensive lifestyle changes led to rapid improvements in cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight, with several benefits sustained for over eight months.

Key findings

Participants achieved significant weight loss, losing an average of 3.2 kg during the program and maintaining most of that loss nearly nine months later.
Markers for cardiovascular health improved rapidly, including notable reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Adherence to a Mediterranean eating pattern and the reduction of meat intake were the strongest predictors of long-term health improvements.
Simple behavioral shifts, such as increased water intake and adding nearly 200 minutes of exercise per week, were linked to better metabolic outcomes.

Practical takeaways

Committing to an intensive period of plant-based eating and regular exercise can jumpstart long-term improvements in your metabolic health. For lasting results in longevity and disease prevention, focus on increasing hydration and replacing meat with fiber-rich, plant-based whole foods.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and lacked a control group, which makes it harder to prove the program was the sole cause of the improvements. Furthermore, the reliance on self-reported data for the follow-up period may affect the accuracy of the long-term results.

Abstract

Background: Residential lifestyle medicine programs have documented immediate and long-term improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Despite this, adherence among participants varies in such programs, limiting the positive outcomes that can be achieved. This study aimed to assess how adherence to positive lifestyle behaviors correlates with cardiometabolic risk factors at the end of a residential lifestyle medicine program and at three or more months of follow-up. Methods: Patients enrolled in a NEWSTART® lifestyle medicine program were invited to participate in this prospective chart review. Outcomes included changes in BMI, blood pressure, medication and supplement use, cardiometabolic disease biomarkers, Mediterranean eating pattern, meat intake, and other lifestyle behaviors. Results: Among 109 adults (78% female; 62% overweight or obese) enrolled in a 6- to 39-day (mean 14.5-day) residential intervention, meat intake reduced by 3.2 servings/week, MEPA III scores increased by 2.3, water intake increased by 2.1 glasses/day, and exercise increased by 193 min/week (all p < 0.01). From baseline to end of program, reductions were noted in blood glucose (-5.3 mg/dL, p = 0.01), total cholesterol (-16.0 mg/dL, p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (-11.0 mg/dL, p < 0.01), HDL cholesterol (-2.0 mg/dL, p < 0.01), triglycerides (-13 mg/dL, p < 0.01), serum creatinine (-0.03 mg/dL, p = 0.049), systolic blood pressure (-6.0 mmHg, p < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (-3.0 mmHg, p = 0.01), and weight (-3.2 kg, p < 0.01). At a mean of 8.6 months follow-up, reductions in triglycerides (14.9 mg/dL, p = 0.03) and weight (2.8 kg, p < 0.01) from baseline were sustained, and water intake increased 20% from baseline (1.1 glasses/day, p = 0.01). Improved adherence to a Mediterranean eating pattern score, increase in water intake and reductions in meat intake and BMI predicted favorable health outcomes. Conclusions: Participation in the lifestyle medicine program was associated with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors during intervention and at follow-up. These outcomes correlated with adherence to positive lifestyle behaviors. Sustained weight reduction as well as dietary and cardiometabolic improvements in our participants suggest the NEWSTART® intervention may hold promise for maintaining cardiometabolic health.

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