AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF VEGETARIAN DIET ON ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In recent years, twelve studies have indicated that a vegetarian diet could reduce the progression of atherosclerosis. Because of its applicability in our society, this study was performed to evaluate the effects of a vegetarian diet on atherosclerosis progression during a period of 12 to 31 months (average 17.2 months).<br />Methods: The case group was a vegetarian one (15 subjects), which was compared with a control group with a normal diet (17 subjects). Coronary angiography was done before and after the study. In each group, lesion number and average maximum stenos is determined and compared in both coronary angiograms. A statistician analyzed the acquired data with T- test and Chi-square.<br />Results: In the case (vegetarian) group, there was a 40% progression, 27% stabilization and a 33% regression, while in the control group, there was a 100% progression of atherosclerosis.<br />Conclusion: The preventive effects of a vegetarian diet on coronary stenosis lesion progression and the regression of atherosclerotic lesion were observed. Its beneficial clinical effects on reducing angina, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and BMI were established too.