"Plant based proteins are significantly more heart-healthy compared to animal proteins" states research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

More evidence points to plant-based diet for optimal health

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology has just published a review of some of the popular diets/eating patterns that are promoted for cardiovascular health. The aim of the review is to provide doctors with accurate advice for patients. Doctors are unfortunately not given much nutritional education during their medical training, but diet is absolutely key to preventing disease in the first place.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, and as more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause, it's very important for us to understand what lifestyle factors can decrease our risk.

The evidence has consistently shown that adopting a whole foods plant-based diet can not only prevent cardiovascular diseases, but halt and reverse progression of existing cardiovascular diseases.

And the evidence has lead the President of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Kim Williams, to state:

“There are two kinds of cardiologists: vegans and those who haven’t read the data.”

The review noted that:

"All sources of animal protein (eggs, fish, poultry, red meat, and processed red meat) were noted to increase all-cause mortality relative to vegetable protein, with processed red meat being associated with more cardiovascular deaths and egg consumption being associated with more cancer deaths".

"Evidence indicates that a diet that is predominantly plant based is associated with improved atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors, reduced coronary heart disease (CHD) progression, and beneficial effects on ASCVD. A whole food, plant-based dietary pattern plays an important role in ASCVD risk reduction."

Other relevant parts of the study included:

"Epidemiological studies and Randomised Control Studies indicate that plant-based diets are associated with improvement in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors and a decreased risk of ASCVD. Studies have been conducted both for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease with plant-based diets, often in conjunction with other heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors.

and:

"Furthermore, populations consuming a predominantly plant-based diet are reported to rarely develop cardiovascular disease. These include the Okinawans, the Papua Highlanders of New Guinea, the rural Chinese, central Africans, and the Tarahumara of northern Mexico".

"Additionally, in 1995 and 2014, a whole food plant-based diet intervention was shown to result in prevention of coronary artery disease progression and angiographic disease reversal. On this basis, it appears that a whole food, plant-based diet may halt progression of coronary atherosclerosis and achieve evidence of angiographic disease regression."

"Most recently, a large prospective cohort study of U.S. health care professionals described the association between animal versus plant protein intake and mortality outcomes. This study showed increased all-cause and CV mortality with high animal protein intake (including processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, and eggs). High plant protein intake was inversely associated with mortality rates. These findings are consistent with recommendations to increase plant protein intake and substitute plant protein for animal protein."

If you're wanting to avoid cardiovascular disease, the evidence has never been clearer: eliminate all animal products and adopt a whole food plant-based diet.

These findings come on top of new research published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that plant-based protein is better for building muscle than animal protein.

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brian | Fri, 24th Mar @ 10:30am

Check out books/articles written by T Colin Campbell (The China Study, Whole, etc) regarding oils (olive, canola, vegetable, or any other oil). They are 100% fat. A high fat diet, according to decades of research by T. Colin Campbell and his team(s), along with a diet high in animal products and bi-products increases rates of heart disease, strokes, bone fractures (dairy), certain cancers and list goes on. HIs research suggest cutting out dairy, animal meat, sugars (including, but not limited to, agave, cane sugar and all artificial sweeteners. If one is truly interested in finding out more about the health and environment benefits, as well as animal welfare I highly suggest searching out books and articles written by T. Colin Campbell, PhD, Dr. Conrad Esselstyn, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Pam Popper et al. They aren't pushing products so they have nothing to gain financially (perhaps speaker fees but I'm just thinking out loud, I have no idea if that's the case) from sharing their research on this topic. Lastly, there's a big difference between vegan and plant based. Vegan only cuts out animal products but still "allows" processed and refined foods, oils and sugar.

Joyce | Sat, 25th Mar @ 1:39pm

We are all unique individuals. I knew a vegan person committed suicide at age 32. Another, PURE Vegan, she can't sleep and has severe Fibromyalgia. I went total vegetarian for several years many years ago. Lost all muscle tone and had no energy. Your type O people (4Blood Types,4 Diets Dr. D'Adamo) Very good to read. No doubt the idea is to drop inflammation. I have read 2 servings of meat a week is all we really need. Because of abundance in this country we tend to enjoy too much of everything. During World War 2, little meat consumption in England. Less Dr visits and health improved. However, take the Eskimos. All meat , right? Pretty healthy. Agree dairy, meat, etc in too much abundance. Moderation in all things. Emotions a factor. Nothing easy, but...it is good each examine and experiment. The news is out that being a Vegan is good. Former President. bill Clinton dropped loads of weight and improved going Vegan. However,if Type O blood, I think there must be some meat to handle their high acid stomachs! Keep it simple. Learn basic rules of Food Combining. Smelling fresh cooked food is half of it all. So much canned, microwaved food at restaurants, etc. Too many chips, snacks, etc. Sadly, most people only change until pain takes over. How I love the smell of a chicken roasting in oven. Being type O doubt I can ever give it up. Just am eating more veggies, less eggs, little to no dairy, whole grains have been for years. Am 80. Blood work very good. However, digestion always been weird despite no drugs, alcohol. An old saying, "Different Strokes for different folks".