| Title | Effects of plant-based diets on plasma lipids. | | Author(s) | Ferdowsian HR, Barnard ND | | Institution | Washington Center for Clinical Research, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. | | Source | Am J Cardiol 2009 Oct 1; 104(7):947-56. | | MeSH | Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol, LDL
Coronary Artery Disease
Diet, Vegetarian
Dietary Supplements
Female
Humans
Hyperlipidemias
Male
Phytotherapy
Plants
Prognosis
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Risk Assessment
Treatment Outcome
| | Abstract | Dyslipidemia is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke. Current guidelines recommend diet as first-line therapy for patients with elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations. However, what constitutes an optimal dietary regimen remains a matter of controversy. Large prospective trials have demonstrated that populations following plant-based diets, particularly vegetarian and vegan diets, are at lower risk for ischemic heart disease mortality. The investigators therefore reviewed the published scientific research to determine the effectiveness of plant-based diets in modifying plasma lipid concentrations. Twenty-seven randomized controlled and observational trials were included. Of the 4 types of plant-based diets considered, interventions testing a combination diet (a vegetarian or vegan diet combined with nuts, soy, and/or fiber) demonstrated the greatest effects (up to 35% plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction), followed by vegan and ovolactovegetarian diets. Interventions allowing small amounts of lean meat demonstrated less dramatic reductions in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. In conclusion, plant-based dietary interventions are effective in lowering plasma cholesterol concentrations. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
Review
| | PubMed ID | 19766762 |
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