Plant-based diets may be linked to lower cholesterol | New technics

Vegetarian and vegan diets may be linked to lower levels of cholesterol and blood fat, according to a new study.

The researchers say their findings, which analyzed evidence from studies published since 1982, suggest that plant-based diets may play an important role in reducing blocked arteries.

This would mean reducing the risk of heart and vascular diseases, such as strokes and heart attacks.

According to the researchers, eating a vegetarian or vegan diet from an early age could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease caused by clogged arteries.

The study found that vegetarian and vegan diets were associated with a 14% reduction in all artery-clogging proteins.

This was one-third the effect of taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins, the researchers found.

Professor Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, chief medical officer at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, conducted the study with medical student Caroline Amalie Koch and Dr Emilie Westerlin Kjeldsen, also from Rigshospitalet.

She said: ‘We found that vegetarian and vegan diets were associated with a 14% reduction in all artery-clogging lipoproteins, as indicated by apoliprotein B (apoB).

“This is one-third of the effect of taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins, and would lead to a 7% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease in someone who maintained a plant-based diet for five years.

“Statin therapy is superior to plant-based diets in reducing fat and cholesterol levels.

“However, one diet does not exclude the other, and combining statins with herbal diets is likely to have a synergistic effect, resulting in an even greater beneficial effect.

“If people start eating vegetarian or vegan at an early age, the potential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by clogged arteries is considerable.

“Importantly, we found similar results across continents, ages, different body mass index ranges, and among people in different health states.”

The researchers looked at 30 trials involving a total of 2,372 people, published between 1982 and 2022.

They assessed the effect of vegetarian or vegan diets compared to omnivorous diets on levels of all types of cholesterol, bad cholesterol, triglycerides – a type of fat found in the blood, and apoliprotein B – a protein which helps transport fats and cholesterol in the blood.

No similar studies have been published since 2017, and the researchers say none have addressed the impact of continent, age, body mass index, and health status, or examined specifically the effect of diet on apoB concentrations.

People in the studies followed either a vegetarian or vegan diet, or an omnivorous diet (which includes meat and dairy).

Diet durations ranged from 10 days to five years, with an average of 29 weeks.

According to the results, compared to people on an omnivorous diet, those on a plant-based diet experienced an average reduction in total cholesterol levels of 7% compared to levels measured at the start of the studies.

There was also a 10% reduction in bad cholesterol levels and a 14% reduction in apoB levels, according to the study published in the European Heart Journal.

Professor Frikke-Schmidt said: “We found significant effects of vegetarian and vegan diets and people ranging from normal weight to obese.”

She added: “Our study provides strong evidence that plant-based diets are good for our health for people of different sizes, ages and health conditions.

“Furthermore, the world’s populations are aging and therefore the cost of treating age-related diseases such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing.

“Plant-based diets are essential instruments for shifting food production towards more environmentally sustainable forms, while reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease.

“We should have a varied diet, rich in plants, not too much, and quench our thirst with water.”

Dr Duane Mellor, Registered Dietitian and Lecturer, Aston Medical School, Aston University, said: “If anyone is considering making a dietary change, it may be worth discussing this with a medical professional and perhaps be a dietician so it is designed to be nutritionally adequate, help with their health problem and ideally be enjoyable.

Tracy Parker, Senior Dietitian at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: ‘This study only looked at people following a strict vegan and vegetarian diet over a short period of time, and some people may find it difficult to follow these consistently. diets for a long time. term.

“Some may find it easier to follow a Mediterranean-style diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy products, with only small amounts of meat.

“If you want to make healthy changes to your diet, a great place to start is the Eatwell Guide, which forms the basis of our healthy eating recommendations in the UK.”

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