Risks Of Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Rates Through Vegan Diets And Their Effects On Recognized Risk Factors

When I was growing up I was taught how to hunt, fish and trap animals for food as well as being fed an omnivorous diet, but today I have found that I no longer need animals in my diet. The Vegetarian Times recently found that out of the 311 million people in the US, 7.3 million eat a vegetarian based diet and 22.8 million eat a vegetarian inclined diet. Over the past century people have begun looking into the health implications of plant based diets as a way of improving their health and increase their longevity. This research paper is intended

The diet I chose to evaluate is the Ornish Diet. The Ornish Diet was created by Dr. Dean Ornish who is the president and founder of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California. In the early 90’s he recommended that the vegetarian diet can reverse indications of coronary illnesses. Dr. Ornish and his examination team clarified that a vegetative diet combined with exercise can lessen stress and help people be more fit.

Harvard Medical School defines a vegan as a person who does, “not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.” (p.1). With veganism gaining more and more popularity in the media and in the western culture, debates have sprung up about whether or not this diet and lifestyle proves to be healthy. Countless studies and experiments have been conducted, and the results have shown that a vegan diet can prove to be a more beneficial diet then the standard American Diet. But, with large food corporations and drug companies in the way, Americans find it harder to switch to the plant-based diet. The vegan diet time and time again shows its outstanding power in reducing

Approximately three percent of the world’s population live an average of eight years longer than the rest. These group of people are also known to have a decreased rate of heart attack, cancer, and other chronic diseases. It is said that the best thing a person could have is their health, so why do these illnesses continue to be our number one killer, and what are these three percent doing differently? The only way to maintain this perfect health most of us dream about is to go vegan, the healthiest lifestyle on the planet.

“Vegan accuse animal products of causing heart disease and cancer. The real culprit is vegetable oils, which have insidiously replaced animal fats in western diets.” (Fallon 20)

disease, colon and lung disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity have all been directly linked to consuming animal products (For Your Health 1). According to the Physician Committee for responsible Medicine, a vegan diet lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduces breast cancer and

Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States, with cancer being a close second. Why is a disease so preventable the leading cause of morality in America? Is it due to ignorance, habit, or just lack of information? The question to ponder is, what is the kernel that is causing this disease to prevail. Is it oil, the dairy industry, the meat industry, or all three of them combined? “Vegan accuse animal products of causing heart disease and cancer. The real culprit is vegetable oils, which have insidiously replaced animal fats in western diets.” (Fallon 20) The root of heart disease and cancer isn’t meat; but vegetable oil. Just a tablespoon of cooking oil contains the necessary amount of fat for an individual

The United States has an unprecedented record in trying to outrank all others. However, one thing they do not outrank others in is heart disease; though it is the country’s leading cause of death. In 2014, there were approximately 614,348 deaths alone from heart disease (CDC). With heart disease there is also high blood pressure; subsequently, high blood pressure is one of the top contributors of heart diseases. In a recent study, the Japanese reviewed this in over 258 cases and came to the conclusion that a plant-based diet is associated with lower blood pressure (Vegetarian Times 26). All of the vegetables, fruits, and whole grains attribute to the lower blood pressure, as well as to lower accounts of heart disease. Also, since Americans eat surpluses of meat, huge amounts of cholesterol and TMAO come with it. The average American consumes two to three times over the recommended amount of protein

Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the greatest health problem affecting western countries. According to the American Heart Foundation, over 70 million Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost of is nearly $400 billion and every 45 seconds an American has a stoke.

“Based on the three sources, what type of eating plan would you be most likely to follow or encourage others to follow?” Based on the three sources I would be most likely to follow or encourage others to would be the Vegan Diet. I chose the vegan diet because referring to source A, a vegan diet “Helps in prevention of chronic diseases” You are still able to meet all nutritional requirements. In a vegan diet you are not aloud to eat meat of anything that came from an animal. You are still able to eat all veggies which still give you your nutrition you need.

Gary Steiner claims that people should stop eating meat by saying that animal consumption cannot be justified at all, since animals cannot be used for the sake of humans. Being a vegan, which Steiner persuades strongly, has several benefits. Jackie Keller, nutritionist, showed that people who consumed vegan diets reduced their low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 21 percent. (J. Keller, 2007) Additionally, Paragi Mehta, a registered dietitian, says that vegetarian diets are connected to decreased risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Mehta even points out that vegan diets increase intake of wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes and whole grains. These foods give people chances to take a large amount of antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamin. (P. Mehta, 2009). On the contrary, even though being a vegan seems to have some advantages, it, in fact, cannot be an ultimate solution for animal suffering for several

Zhang, Z., Wang, J., Chen, S., & Lu, W. (2014). Comparison of vegetarian diets and omnivorous diets on plasma level of HDL-c: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 9(3). Retrieved from:

A Plant-Based Diet as a Prescriptive Measure: Should Health Care Providers Recommend A Vegan Diet to High-Risk Patients For the Prevention or Treatment of Non-Communicable or Chronic Diseases?

Some health benefits that come along with being a vegan include: lower cholesterol levels, higher energy levels, weight loss, and even a longer life. After just two weeks on a low-fat vegan diet, most people lose weight and feel more energized. Other physical benefits that come along with this lifestyle are healthy skin, reduction of body odor, healthier hair and nails, elimination of bad breath, alleviation of allergies, and relief from migraines. (57 Health) Through eating a healthy, disciplined, vegan diet and having higher levels of essential vitamins, minerals and proteins many popular diseases amongst people can be avoided such as cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, and even certain types of cancer. Heart disease has been successfully reversed through programs that include an exclusive vegan diet. Dedicated to their work, Dr. Dean Ornish, the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, the president of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons both utilize the vegan diet in

Vegetarian diets have also been linked to reducing heart disease. Heart disease is another common chronic disease. A contributing factor that can lead to a person having heart disease is hypertension (also referred to as high blood pressure). Factors that lead to hypertension include having high levels of fats and cholesterol in one’s diet. Vegetarian diets have low intakes of total fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. Since the vegetarian diet is lower in cholesterol and fats the chances for hypertension is decreased. Hypertension is just one cause that can lead to heart disease; the main cause of heart disease is due to having high levels of cholesterol. High cholesterol is an indicator that a person is consuming a high amount of animal products that contain cholesterol and saturated fat. Vegetarians consume lower levels of cholesterol in their diet. The vegetarian diet contains high amounts of soy, nuts, oats, and vegetables, all of which have been found to reduce cholesterol. Another reason why the vegetarian diet reduces heart disease lies in the fact that it contains high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants include essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotenes which all help to minimize the damage that could occur in cells. These antioxidants are found in foods such as fruits