Total cardiovascular risk profile of Taiwanese vegetarians

Abstract

Background: Although the health benefits of vegetarian diets have been well documented among Western population, there are geographic differences of vegetarian diets and the health benefits of the Taiwanese vegetarian diet have not been studied extensively. In addition to conventional risk factors, homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels have been found to predict first atherothrombotic events. We undertook this study to examine the total risk profile of Taiwanese vegetarians. Methods: A total of 198 healthy subjects (99 vegetarians and 99 omnivores) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), white blood cell count, hs-CRP and homocysteine. Results: There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, blood glucose, white blood cell count, triglyceride and HDL-C between the two groups. The vegetarian group had significantly more females (65.7 vs 46.5%); lower body weight (58.66711.13 vs 62.88712.24 kg); shorter height (159.1477.88 vs 162.53 78.14 cm); lower total cholesterol (184.74733.23 vs 202.01741.05 mg/dl); and lower LDL-C (119.63731.59 vs 135.89739.50 mg/dl). Hs-CRP was significantly lower (0.1470.23 vs 0.2370.44 mg/dl, P ¼ 0.025), whereas homocysteine was significantly higher (10.9776.69 vs 8.4472.50 mmol/l, P ¼ 0.001) in vegetarians than omnivores. Conclusions: Taiwanese vegetarians have lower total cholesterol, LDL-C and hs-CRP levels, and higher homocysteine levels than omnivores. Owing to different predictive value of each risk factor, the Taiwanese vegetarians had a better cardiovascular risk profile than omnivores. Whether the Taiwanese vegetarian diet should be supplemented with vitamin B 12 to lower serum homocysteine level remains to be addressed.

A comparative study of metabolic profile, anthropometric parameters among vegetarians and non-vegetarians- do vegetarian diet have a cardio protective role?

“…In this study, better metabolic profile is partially attributable to lower BMI. 17 Similar results were obtained in our study where vegetarians had lower weight, BMI, WC, HC compared to non-vegetarians.…”

“…9,10 Vegetarians were found to have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal cancer and certain other diseases that increases the life expectancy amongst them. 10,11 Also, evidence from long term cohort studies in western countries, on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet, show positive cardiovascular, cancer, mental health and reduces overall mortality effects. 12 Diet being a modifiable risk factor for CVD, by adapting suitable dietary pattern, we can not only reduce the cardiovascular risk but also dietary measures can also prevent progressive damage due to non-communicable diseases like hypertension or diabetes.…”

Vegetarian Dietary Patterns as a Means to Achieve Reduction in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Risk Factors

“…JV women also had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and serum triglyceride levels than JNV women [11]. Total cardiovascular risk profile of 99 Taiwanese vegetarians was compared with 99 omnivores in another cross-sectional report [12]. The vegetarians had significantly lower body weight, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels than the omnivores.…”

“…Three recent studies suggest that vegetarian diets are associated with higher homocysteine levels, a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease, than omnivore diets [12,15,16]. Serum homocysteine levels are impacted by low dietary intake of vitamins B 6 , B 12 , and folate because all three vitamins are utilized in the breakdown of homocysteine.…”

“…C-reactive protein levels were lower among vegetarians, but homocysteine levels were higher than for the omnivores. Despite the higher homocysteine levels, the authors concluded that the vegetarians had an overall better cardiovascular risk profile than the non-vegetarians [12]. Higher levels of plant food compared with animal food intake were shown to be protective against diabetes in another study with Seventh-Day Adventists [13•].…”