Reductions seen across ages, continents, health statuses<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels, according to a review published online May 24 in the European Heart Journal<\/em>.<\/p>\n Caroline A. Koch, from Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet in Denmark, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of vegetarian and vegan diets on blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B in adults older than 18 years. Data were included from 30 trials.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the plant-based diets reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels compared with the omnivorous diet, with mean differences of \u00e2\u0088\u00920.34 mmol\/L, \u00e2\u0088\u00920.30 mmol\/L, and \u00e2\u0088\u009212.92 mg\/dL, respectively. Across ages, continents, duration of study, health statuses, intervention diets, intervention programs, and study designs, the effect sizes were similar. For triglyceride levels, there was no significant difference noted.<\/p>\n “If people start eating vegetarian or vegan diets from an early age, the potential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by blocked arteries is substantial,” a coauthor said in a statement. “Importantly, we found similar results across continents, ages, different ranges of body mass index, and among people in different states of health.”<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n