Vegetarian Nutrition

VN: Cardiovascular Disease (2008)

Cardiovascular Disease and Vegetarian Diets

See also Vegetarian Nutrition and Lipids

• Assessment
  What is the relationship between a vegetarian diet and ischemic heart disease patients?

  • Conclusion

    A vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease.

  • Grade: I
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Vegetarian Nutrition and Decreased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Appleby PN, Thorogood M, Mann JI, Key TJ. The Oxford Vegetarian Study: an overview. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 525S-531S. PMID: 10479226.
      • Barnard, ND, Scialli, AR et al. Effectiveness of a low-fat vegetarian diet in altering serum lipids in healthy premenopausal women. Am J of Cardiology. 2000 (Apr); 85: 969-972. 
      • Fraser GE. Associations between diet and cancer, ischemic heart disease, and all-cause mortality in non-Hispanic white California Seventh-day Adventists. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 532S-538S.
      • Kestin, M, Rouse, IL, Correll, RA, Nestel, PJ. Cardiovascular disease risk factors in free-living men: Comparison of two prudent diets, one based on lactoovovegetarianism and the other allowing lean meat. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989; 50: 280-287.
      • Key TJ, Fraser GE, Thorogood M, Appleby PN, Beral V, Reeves G, Burr ML, Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Kuzma JW, Mann J, McPherson K. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 5,16S-5,24S. PMID: 10479225.
      • Margetts BM, Beilin LJ, Armstrong BK, Vandongen R. Vegetarian diet in mild hypertension: effects of fat and fiber. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Sep;48(3 Suppl):801-5.
      • Melby CL, Toohey ML, Cebrick J. Blood pressure and blood lipids among vegetarian, semivegetarian, and nonvegetarian African Americans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994; 59: 103-109.
      • Pauletto P, Puato M, Caroli MG, Casiglia E, Munhambo AE, Cazzolato G, Bittolo Bon G, Angeli MT, Galli C, Pessina AC. Blood pressure and atherogenic lipoprotein profiles of fish-diet and vegetarian villagers in Tanzania: The Lugalawa study. Lancet. 1996 Sep 21; 348 (9030): 784-788.
      • Sacks FM, Kass EH. Low blood pressure in vegetarians: Effects of specific foods and nutrients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Sep; 48 (3 Suppl): 795-800.
      • Toohey ML, Harris MA, Williams D, et al. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors are Lower in African-American Vegans Compared to Lacto-Ovo-vegetarians. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Vol 17 (5), 425-434, 1998.
      • Williams PT. Interactive effects of exercise, alcohol and vegetarian diet on coronary artery disease risk factors in 9242 runners: The National Runners' Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Nov; 66 (5): 1,197-1,206.
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease 2007
     
  What is the relationship between a vegetarian diet and hypertension in patients?

  • Conclusion

    Relative to omnivorous diets in general, a vegetarian diet may be associated with decreased blood pressure to a small degree. However, the relationship appears to be weak, and it is unclear how much of the blood pressure difference between vegetarians and non-vegetarians is due to factors other than diet.

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Vegetarian Nutrition and Decreased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Appleby PN, Thorogood M, Mann JI, Key TJ. The Oxford Vegetarian Study: an overview. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 525S-531S. PMID: 10479226.
      • Barnard, ND, Scialli, AR et al. Effectiveness of a low-fat vegetarian diet in altering serum lipids in healthy premenopausal women. Am J of Cardiology. 2000 (Apr); 85: 969-972. 
      • Fraser GE. Associations between diet and cancer, ischemic heart disease, and all-cause mortality in non-Hispanic white California Seventh-day Adventists. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 532S-538S.
      • Kestin, M, Rouse, IL, Correll, RA, Nestel, PJ. Cardiovascular disease risk factors in free-living men: Comparison of two prudent diets, one based on lactoovovegetarianism and the other allowing lean meat. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989; 50: 280-287.
      • Key TJ, Fraser GE, Thorogood M, Appleby PN, Beral V, Reeves G, Burr ML, Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Kuzma JW, Mann J, McPherson K. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep; 70 (3 Suppl): 5,16S-5,24S. PMID: 10479225.
      • Margetts BM, Beilin LJ, Armstrong BK, Vandongen R. Vegetarian diet in mild hypertension: effects of fat and fiber. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Sep;48(3 Suppl):801-5.
      • Melby CL, Toohey ML, Cebrick J. Blood pressure and blood lipids among vegetarian, semivegetarian, and nonvegetarian African Americans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994; 59: 103-109.
      • Pauletto P, Puato M, Caroli MG, Casiglia E, Munhambo AE, Cazzolato G, Bittolo Bon G, Angeli MT, Galli C, Pessina AC. Blood pressure and atherogenic lipoprotein profiles of fish-diet and vegetarian villagers in Tanzania: The Lugalawa study. Lancet. 1996 Sep 21; 348 (9030): 784-788.
      • Sacks FM, Kass EH. Low blood pressure in vegetarians: Effects of specific foods and nutrients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988 Sep; 48 (3 Suppl): 795-800.
      • Toohey ML, Harris MA, Williams D, et al. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors are Lower in African-American Vegans Compared to Lacto-Ovo-vegetarians. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Vol 17 (5), 425-434, 1998.
      • Williams PT. Interactive effects of exercise, alcohol and vegetarian diet on coronary artery disease risk factors in 9242 runners: The National Runners' Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Nov; 66 (5): 1,197-1,206.
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease 2007
     
  How is micronutrient intake in a vegetarian diet associated with CVD risk factors in patients?

  • Conclusion

    No research meeting inclusion criteria were identified that examined the micronutrient intake of a vegetarian diet and CVD risk factors.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: VN: Vegetarian Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease 2007