New study explodes myth about vegetarian diet

[Guest guest]

New study explodes myth about vegetarian dietNew study explodes myth about vegetarian dietPublic release date: 27-Jul-2004Contact: Jeanne S. McVeyjeannem202-686-2210 x316Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicinehttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-07/pcfr-nse072704.phpTransition to heart-healthy plant-based diet easily achievedWASHINGTON-In a new study appearing in the summer 2004 issue of the Journalof Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and his colleaguesshow that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to alow-fat, vegetarian diet that helps people lose weight, lower bloodpressure, and otherwise improve their health. Many doctors are aware that alow-fat vegetarian diet can reverse heart disease and provide otherbenefits; however, they mistakenly think that patients will not make thetransition. Now, there are at least four studies published in scientificjournals showing that patients can and do adapt to a "strict" diet thatdramatically improves their health. The new paper is titled, "Acceptabilityof a low-fat, vegan diet compares favorably to a Step II diet in arandomized, controlled trial.""For people battling overweight and heart disease, a vegetarian diet can bea life-saving prescription," says Neal D. Barnard, M. D., lead author of thearticle and president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine."This new study shows that patients transition smoothly to a plant-baseddiet that allows them to eat to satiety and yet still lose weight. Patientsare willing to make major changes in their eating patterns because they getmajor results such as lower cholesterol and reduced hypertension."The study group was composed of well-educated, postmenopausal, overweightwomen. They were divided into two groups: one was assigned to the low-fatvegetarian diet, and the other group followed a control diet. In addition tolosing significantly more weight, 89 percent of the women assigned to thelow-fat vegetarian diet said they were feeling mostly or completely used tothe diet at 14 weeks and 86 percent said they could continue with thevegetarian diet at least most of the time in the future.A study published recently in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation showed that a vegetarian diet emphasizing almonds, soy, andother healthful foods was essentially as effective at lowering cholesterolas a statin drug (Jenkins et al 2003; 290:502-510).###For a copy of the new paper, or an interview with one of the authors, pleasecontact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem.Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is anonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especiallygood nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposesunethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animalresearch.

[Guest guest]

Hi Craig

 

That's interesting thanks. I notice the study was done with women. I wonder if the same applies to men. There are two chaps at work who really should change to a vegan diet for their health - one has just come back to work after having a heart attack and the other is suffering from diverticulsis and gall bladder troubles. I suggested they change to vegeterian and then gradually to vegan, but they said it would be 'impossible'. I said it would be better than dying - one of them said it wouldn't! Also I have a young brother in law - he's about 46 now and had three heart attacks about two years ago - mainly through living on chips and McDonalds. We tried to advise him on diet, and gave him loads of easy to make veggie/vegan recipes (he is almost blind and his wife is blind), but gradually they have gone back to eating the way they were before, and he has recently taken up smoking again. I really cannot understand people.

 

Maybe as the report says - if the doctors recommended the vegan way of life instead of just saying 'improve your diet' and not giving definite instruction - maybe then people would listen more.

 

Jo

 

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Craig Dearth

001 vegan chat

Friday, July 30, 2004 3:22 PM

New study explodes myth about vegetarian diet

 

New study explodes myth about vegetarian dietNew study explodes myth about vegetarian dietPublic release date: 27-Jul-2004Contact: Jeanne S. McVeyjeannem202-686-2210 x316Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicinehttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-07/pcfr-nse072704.phpTransition to heart-healthy plant-based diet easily achievedWASHINGTON-In a new study appearing in the summer 2004 issue of the Journalof Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and his colleaguesshow that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to alow-fat, vegetarian diet that helps people lose weight, lower bloodpressure, and otherwise improve their health. Many doctors are aware that alow-fat vegetarian diet can reverse heart disease and provide otherbenefits; however, they mistakenly think that patients will not make thetransition. Now, there are at least four studies published in scientificjournals showing that patients can and do adapt to a "strict" diet thatdramatically improves their health. The new paper is titled, "Acceptabilityof a low-fat, vegan diet compares favorably to a Step II diet in arandomized, controlled trial.""For people battling overweight and heart disease, a vegetarian diet can bea life-saving prescription," says Neal D. Barnard, M. D., lead author of thearticle and president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine."This new study shows that patients transition smoothly to a plant-baseddiet that allows them to eat to satiety and yet still lose weight. Patientsare willing to make major changes in their eating patterns because they getmajor results such as lower cholesterol and reduced hypertension."The study group was composed of well-educated, postmenopausal, overweightwomen. They were divided into two groups: one was assigned to the low-fatvegetarian diet, and the other group followed a control diet. In addition tolosing significantly more weight, 89 percent of the women assigned to thelow-fat vegetarian diet said they were feeling mostly or completely used tothe diet at 14 weeks and 86 percent said they could continue with thevegetarian diet at least most of the time in the future.A study published recently in the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation showed that a vegetarian diet emphasizing almonds, soy, andother healthful foods was essentially as effective at lowering cholesterolas a statin drug (Jenkins et al 2003; 290:502-510).###For a copy of the new paper, or an interview with one of the authors, pleasecontact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem.Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is anonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especiallygood nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposesunethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animalresearch. To send an email to -