Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1219209
www.AbbysHealthFood.com - Issue 41 | Page 29 A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, which includes eggs and dairy but excludes meat and fish, and a Mediterranean diet are likely equally effec ve in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Associa on's journal Circula on. Previous separate studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet reduces certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as does a vegetarian diet; however, this was the first study to compare effects of the two dis nct ea ng pa erns. Current study authors said they wanted to evaluate whether switching to a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet would also be heart-healthy in people who were used to ea ng both meat and fish. "To best evaluate this issue, we decided to compare a lacto-ovo- vegetarian diet with a Mediterranean diet in the same group of people," said Francesco Sofi, M.D., Ph.D, lead study author and professor of clinical nutri on at the University of Florence and Careggi University Hospital in Italy. The study included 107 healthy but overweight par cipants, ages 18-75, who were randomly assigned to follow for three months either a low-calorie vegetarian diet, which included dairy and eggs, or a low-calorie Mediterranean diet for three months. The Mediterranean diet included poultry, fish and some red meat as well as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. A er three months, the par cipants switched diets. Most par cipants were able to stay on both diets. Researchers found par cipants on either diet: • lost about 3 pounds of body fat • lost about 4 pounds of weight overall; and • experienced about the same change in body mass index, a measure of weight in rela onship to height. Authors said they did find two differences between the diets that may be noteworthy. The vegetarian diet was more effec ve at reducing LDL (the "bad") cholesterol, while the Mediterranean diet resulted greater reduc ons in triglycerides, May Be equally effective in Preventing HeArT DiSeASe high levels of which increase the risk for heart a ack and stroke. S ll, "the take-home message of our study is that a low-calorie lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet can help pa ents reduce cardiovascular risk about the same as a low-calorie Mediterranean diet," Sofi said. "People have more than one choice for a heart-healthy diet." In an editorial accompanying the study, Cheryl A. M. Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., an associate professor of preven ve medicine at the University of California, San Diego, in California, wrote that there were similari es between the two diets that may explain the results. Both follow "a healthy dietary pa ern rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes [beans], whole grains and nuts; focusing on diet variety, nutrient density and appropriate amount of food; and limi ng energy intake from saturated fats." Anderson, who was not involved in the study, added that promo ng both diets by healthcare professionals "offer a possible solu on to the ongoing challenges to prevent and manage obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Study limita ons include the fact that par cipants were at "rela vely low" risk of cardiovascular disease. Anderson said future research should compare the diets in pa ents at higher risk for heart disease and should also explore "whether or not healthful versions of tradi onal diets around the world that emphasize fresh foods and limit sugars, saturated fats, and sodium can prevent and manage obesity and cardiovascular diseases." By American Heart Associa on veGeTAriAn AnD M eDiTerrAneAn Di eT