New Study Explodes Myth About Vegetarian Diet: Transition to Heart-Healthy, Plant- Based Diet Easily Achieved

August 21, 2004

New Study Explodes Myth About Vegetarian Diet

Transition to Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based Diet Easily Achieved

WASHINGTON‹In a new study appearing in the summer 2004 issue of the Journal

of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and his colleagues

show that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to a

low-fat, vegetarian diet that helps people lose weight, lower blood

pressure, and otherwise improve their health. Many doctors are aware that a

low-fat vegetarian diet can reverse heart disease and provide other

benefits; however, they mistakenly think that patients will not make the

transition. Now, there are at least four studies published in scientific

journals showing that patients can and do adapt to a ³strict² diet that

dramatically improves their health. The new paper is titled, ³Acceptability

of a low-fat, vegan diet compares favorably to a Step II diet in a

randomized, controlled trial.²

³For people battling overweight and heart disease, a vegetarian diet can be

a life-saving prescription,² says Neal D. Barnard, M. D., lead author of the

article and president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

³This new study shows that patients transition smoothly to a plant-based

diet that allows them to eat to satiety and yet still lose weight. Patients

are willing to make major changes in their eating patterns because they get

major results such as lower cholesterol and reduced hypertension.²

The study group was composed of well-educated, postmenopausal, overweight

women. They were divided into two groups: one was assigned to the low-fat

vegetarian diet, and the other group followed a control diet. In addition to

losing significantly more weight, 89 percent of the women assigned to the

low-fat vegetarian diet said they were feeling mostly or completely used to

the diet at 14 weeks and 86 percent said they could continue with the

vegetarian diet at least most of the time in the future.

A study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical

Association showed that a vegetarian diet emphasizing almonds, soy, and

other healthful foods was essentially as effective at lowering cholesterol

as a statin drug ( et al 2003; 290:502-510).

For a copy of the new paper, or an interview with one of the authors, please

contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem@....

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a

nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially

good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposes

unethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animal

research.

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