Cardio-Metabolic Benefits of Plant-Based Diets

Abstract

Cardio-metabolic disease, namely ischemic heart disease, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, represent substantial health and economic burdens. Almost one half of cardio-metabolic deaths in the U.S. might be prevented through proper nutrition. Plant-based (vegetarian and vegan) diets are an effective strategy for improving nutrient intake. At the same time, they are associated with decreased all-cause mortality and decreased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Evidence suggests that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease events by an estimated 40% and the risk of cerebral vascular disease events by 29%. These diets also reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes by about one half. Properly planned vegetarian diets are healthful, effective for weight and glycemic control, and provide metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, including reversing atherosclerosis and decreasing blood lipids and blood pressure. The use of plant-based diets as a means of prevention and treatment of cardio-metabolic disease should be promoted through dietary guidelines and recommendations.

Insulin resistance underlies the elevated cardiovascular risk associated with kidney disease and glomerular hyperfiltration

“…Large prospective cohort studies have shown that dietary habits with elevated consumption of vegetable food enhance insulin sensitivity and are independently associated with lower overall mortality in patients with CKD. A diet rich in legumes, cereals, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low in meat and refined sugars is protective from all-cause mortality in the general population, patients with diabetes, and patients with CKD (Chen et al, 2016;Gutierrez et al, 2014;Haring et al, 2017;Kahleova et al, 2017;Kelly et al, 2017;Rebholz et al, 2015).…”

“…1) Insulin resistance is a major determinant of the elevated cardiovascular risk in patients with altered GFR (Brugts et al, 2005;Cox et al, 2008;de Boer et al, 2012;Go et al, 2004;Hallan et al, 2007;Meisinger et al, 2006;Muntner et al, 2002;Tonelli et al, 2011;Van Biesen et al, 2007). Consistently, plant-based diets reduce glucagon secretion, improve insulin resistance and represent an effective mean for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (Kahleova et al, 2017).…”

Different approaches in nutrition

“…(37) Kahleova ve arkadaşları yayımladıkları makalede vegan-vejetaryen beslenmenin koroner kalp hastalığı riskini %40 azalttığını ifade etmişlerdir. (38)…”

Dietary Intakes and Cardiovascular Health of Healthy Adults in Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program

“…This imbalance plays a crucial role in the rising rates of type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and coronary artery disease [17,18]. Conversely, PBDs (vegetarian type of PBD included) have been shown to decrease the risk for morbidity and mortality [19,20] due to chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases [21,22], cancer [20], metabolic syndrome [23], type 2 diabetes [24][25][26][27], and obesity [28,29]. Furthermore, CVDs remain the leading cause of death globally [30], accounting for one-third of all deaths and an estimated 422 million prevalent cases in 2015 [31].…”