Vegetarian Diet May Help Reduce Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

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A vegetarian dietary pattern is linked to a more favorable profile of

metabolic risk factors and a lower risk for metabolic syndrome, even after

adjustment for lifestyle and demographic factors, according to a

cross-sectional analysis of results from the Adventist Health Study 2

reported online March 16 in *Diabetes Care*.

" The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of disorders that are associated

with a heightened risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, " write Nico

S. Rizzo, PhD, from the Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health,

Loma University in Loma , California, and colleagues. " Previous

studies have reported associations between major dietary patterns and MetS.

However, no agreement is found as to which dietary patterns would confer the

lowest risk of MetS. "

The goal of the study was to compare dietary patterns in their associations

with metabolic risk factors and the metabolic syndrome, using data from 773

participants in the Adventist Health Study 2. Mean age was 60 years. A food

frequency questionnaire was used to classify dietary pattern as vegetarian

(35%), semi-vegetarian (16%), or nonvegetarian (49%).

The investigators assessed associations between dietary pattern and

metabolic risk factors, including high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

levels, triglycerides, glucose levels, blood pressure, and waist

circumference using analysis of covariance while controlling for pertinent

cofactors. They also determined odds ratios (ORs) for metabolic syndrome

using logistic regression.

Except for HDL cholesterol level, all metabolic risk factors were

significantly lower in association with a vegetarian dietary pattern vs a

nonvegetarian dietary pattern (*P* for trend < .001 for those factors). The

risk of having metabolic syndrome was also lower for the vegetarian dietary

pattern (OR, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.30 - 0.64; *P* < .001).

" A vegetarian dietary pattern is associated with a more favorable profile of

MRFs [metabolic risk factors] and a lower risk of MetS, " the study authors

write. " The relationship persists after adjusting for lifestyle and

demographic factors. "

Limitations of this study include cross-sectional analysis at a single point

in time and reliance on self-reported questionnaires regarding dietary

pattern.

" Our results thus confirm and build on previous studies on vegetarian diets

and metabolic risk, and suggest that a vegetarian dietary pattern can play a

favorable role in lowering the risk of MetS. "

*The National Institutes of Health supported this study. Dr. Rizzo was

supported by the McClean Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant. The other study

authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.*

*Diabetes Care*. Published online March 16, 2011.

Abstract<http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2011/03/13/dc10-1221.abs\

tract>

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