Vegetarian Diet lowers blood Cholesterol Levels

Vegetarian Diet lowers blood cholesterol levels: 

A new review of almost 50 studies related to nutrition suggests that plant-based diets are associated with lower total cholesterol levels.

Researchers from three institutions have recently put together a comprehensive review and meta-analysis looking at the effects that consuming a plant-based diet has on the level of plasma lipids, or the lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides, found in blood.

High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is also known as "bad cholesterol," have been associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD).

Total cholesterol levels and the level of triglycerides have also been linked with an increased risk of CHD, although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is also known as "good cholesterol," is thought to play a protective role in the system.

The team suggests that hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, can often go undiagnosed and untreated, which is one of the reasons why it can become a dangerous health factor. However, cholesterol levels can be kept under control through an appropriate diet and physical exercise.

The review was conducted by Dr. Yoko Yokoyama, from Keio University in Fujisawa, Japan, in collaboration with Susan Levin, who is director of nutrition education at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., and Dr. Neal Barnard, from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, also in Washington, D.C.

The scientists' findings were published yesterday in the journal Nutrition Reviews. (https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nux030/4062197/Association-between-plantbased-diets-and-plasma) 

The researchers found that vegetarian diets, in general, were associated with significantly lower levels of total cholesterol.

Observational studies suggested that vegetarian diets were associated with a mean concentration of total cholesterol that was lower by 29.2 milligrams per deciliter. Similarly, clinical trials showed that following a vegetarian diet resulted in a mean concentration of total cholesterol that was lower by 12.5 milligrams per deciliter.

Some alterations in the levels of triglycerides as a result of a plant-based diet were observed, but they were not considered significant.

These outcomes, the researchers explain, are consistent with those reported by previous reviews. The authors hypothesize that vegetarian diets impact body weight, as well as overall health, positively, which may help to regulate plasma lipids.

"Those [individuals] who have followed vegetarian dietary patterns for longer periods may have healthier body compositions as well as better adherence to a vegetarian diet, both of which may have an effect on blood lipids."

"The immediate health benefits of a plant-based diet, like weight loss, lower blood pressure, and improved cholesterol, are well documented in controlled studies," says Levin. She also refers to previous research conducted by her team, suggesting that vegetarian diets can regulate the metabolism and prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Levin and her colleagues encourage individuals to work closely with dieticians to try to steer toward plant-based diets. The researcher told us that she encourages individuals to start being more mindful of their nutrition as early in their life as possible.