Benefits of a Vagan Diet

 Benefits of a Vagan Diet

Compared withnon-vegetarians, Western insectivores have a lower mean BMI( by about 1 kg/ m2),  a lower mean tube total cholesterol attention( by about 0 · 5 mmol/ l), and a lower mortality from IHD( by about 25). They may also have a lower threat for some other conditions similar as constipation, diverticular complaint, gallstones and appendicitis. No differences in mortality from common cancers have been established. There's no substantiation of adverse goods on mortality. 

Vegetarians: Vegan: Mortality: 

Vegetarian diets are based on cereals, pulses, nuts,

vegetables and fruits, and may also include dairy products

and eggs. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians do not consume any meat,

poultry or fish, but do include dairy products and eggs in

their diet; vegans do not consume any foods of animal

origin. Unless otherwise specified, reference to vegetarians

means lacto-ovo-vegetarians, because relatively little

information is available for vegans. In general, a vegetarian

diet is lower in saturated fat and higher in starch, NSP, fruits

and vegetables than a non-vegetarian diet.

Plasma cholesterol concentration

Studies have consistently reported that vegetarians have

lower mean plasma total cholesterol concentrations than

comparable non-vegetarians (Dwyer, 1988, 1991; Sanders

& Reddy, 1994; Thorogood, 1995). In an analysis of data

from 3000 men and women, Thorogood et al. (1987)

reported that mean total cholesterol concentrations

(mmol/l), adjusted for age and sex, were 4·29 in vegans,

4·88 in vegetarians, 5·01 in fish eaters and 5·31 in meat

eaters (Table 1). Mean concentrations of HDL-cholesterol

were higher in the fish eaters, but otherwise did not differ

between the groups.

Mortality

The relatively low plasma cholesterol concentrations of

vegetarians would be expected to reduce the risk of IHD.

Thorogood et al. (1987), for example, estimated that the

0·4 mmol/l lower plasma cholesterol concentration of

vegetarians compared with meat eaters which they observed

might lead to a 24 % reduction in the incidence of IHD. It is

also possible that vegetarian diets might protect against

cancers of the colo-rectum, breast and prostate, since these

cancers are common in rich countries but rare in poor

countries with predominantly plant-based diets.

Morbidity

Relatively little information is available concerning morbid￾ity in vegetarians. There is some evidence that vegetarians may have a lower incidence of constipation (Burkitt et al.1972), diabetes (Snowdon & Phillips, 1975), diverticular disease of the colon (Gear et al. 1979), gallstones (Pixleyet al. 1985), hypertension (Beilin, 1993) and emergency appendicectomy (Appleby et al. 1995).

Conclusion

Compared with non-vegetarians, Western vegetarians have

a lower BMI (by about 1 kg/m2), a lower plasma cholesterol

concentration (by about 0·5 mmol/l), and a lower mortality

from IHD (by about 25 %). They may also have a lower risk

for some other diseases such as diverticular disease,

gallstones and appendicitis. No differences in mortality

from common cancers have been established. There is no

evidence of adverse effects on mortality. Much more

information is needed, particularly on other causes of death,

osteoporosis, and long-term health in vegans. The evidence

available suggests that widespread adoption of a vegetarian

diet could prevent approximately 40 000 deaths from IHD in

Britain each year.

References

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