Vegetarian Diet for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction: Cons

Sung Nim Han

doi:10.12997/jla.2023.12.3.323

Vegetarian Diet for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction: Cons

J Lipid Atheroscler. 2023 Sep;12(3):323-328. doi: 10.12997/jla.2023.12.3.323. Epub 2023 Sep 7.

Author

Sung Nim Han^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
² Research Institute of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Numerous studies have reported that adopting a plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Not only does a vegetarian diet help mitigate the risk of these diseases, but it also contributes to enhancing environmental sustainability. However, it is not necessary to universally recommend a vegetarian diet as a preventive measure against CVDs. More research is needed to determine whether completely excluding animal products is necessary, or if adhering to a predominantly plant-based diet is sufficient. In this opinion paper, the potential adverse health effects of a vegetarian diet and the barriers associated with adopting it will be discussed, in order to provide a rationale for the disadvantages of using a vegetarian diet for CVD risk reduction.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Dietary guidelines; Risk; Vegetarian diet; Vitamin B12.