Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of metabolic profiles between vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects: a matched cohort study

AbstractSeveral previous cross-sectional studies have shown that vegetarians have a better metabolic profile than non-vegetarians, suggesting that a vegetarian dietary pattern may help prevent chronic degenerative diseases. However, longitudinal studies on the impact of vegetarian diets on metabolic traits are scarce. We studied how several sub-types of vegetarian diets affect metabolic traits, including waist circumference, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, TAG and TC:HDL ratio, through both cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. The study used the MJ Health Screening database, with data collected from 1994 to 2008 in Taiwan, which included 4415 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1855 lacto-vegetarians and 1913 vegans; each vegetarian was matched with five non-vegetarians based on age, sex and study site. In the longitudinal follow-up, each additional year of vegan diet lowered the risk of obesity by 7 % (95 % CI 0·88, 0·99), whereas each additional year of lacto-vegetarian diet lowered the risk of elevated SBP by 8 % (95 % CI 0·85, 0·99) and elevated glucose by 7 % (95 % CI 0·87, 0·99), and each additional year of ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet increased abnormal HDL by 7 % (95 % CI 1·03, 1·12), compared with non-vegetarians. In the cross-sectional comparisons, all sub-types of vegetarians had lower likelihoods of abnormalities compared with non-vegetarians on all metabolic traits (P<0·001 for all comparisons), except for HDL and TAG. The better metabolic profile in vegetarians is partially attributable to lower BMI. With proper management of TAG and HDL, along with caution about the intake of refined carbohydrates and fructose, a plant-based diet may benefit all aspects of the metabolic profile.

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Knowledge of Health Professionals Regarding Vegetarian Diets from Pregnancy to Adolescence: An Observational Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11051149 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1149 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Enrica Bettinelli ◽

Elena Bezze ◽

Laura Morasca ◽

Laura Plevani ◽

Gabriele Sorrentino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Service Learning ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

Life Cycles ◽

Vegan Diet ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Correct Definition ◽

Vegetarian Diets

The number of people adopting vegetarian diets is constantly increasing, and many among them are young parents who decide to share their diet with their children. The aim of this study was to investigate health professionals’ knowledge regarding the adoption of vegetarian diets from pregnancy to adolescence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The administered questionnaire, which was based on the recommendations of the most up-to-date guidelines, included two macro areas: The first investigated the sociodemographic and professional profile of the interviewees and the second addressed the knowledge of the participants regarding vegetarian diets. A total of 418 health professionals in Italy were interviewed, of whom 65.8% were nursing staff. Among the participants, 79.9% had not attended a nutrition course in the previous five years. A correct definition of a vegetarian/vegan diet was provided by 34.1% of the participants. The answers regarding knowledge of nutrients were correct in 20% of cases, whereas correct answers to questions assessing knowledge of the risk and benefits of a vegetarian diet and the adoption of a vegetarian diet throughout the life cycle were given by 45% and 39.4% of the participants, respectively. A significant correlation between the items of the second macro area that investigated the knowledge and dietary habits of the participants was found for seven items. The results of the study indicate that health professionals do not have complete and exhaustive knowledge about vegetarian diets and lack information on health outcomes and the adoption of a vegetarian diet throughout the different life cycles and nutrients. Improving pre- and in-service learning opportunities in vegetarian nutrition for health professionals is strongly advisable.

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Effects of Vegetarian Diets on Blood Pressure Lowering: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12061604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1604

Author(s):

Kai Wei Lee ◽

Hong Chuan Loh ◽

Siew Mooi Ching ◽

Navin Kumar Devaraj ◽

Fan Kee Hoo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Sequential Analysis ◽

Relative Effectiveness ◽

Blood Pressure Reduction ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

Vegan Diet ◽

Trial Sequential Analysis ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Vegetarian Diets

The beneficial effects of a vegetarian diet on blood pressure (BP) control have been reported in previous systematic reviews; however, so far, their relative effectiveness is not well established. Here, we performed a systematic review together with trial sequential analysis to determine the effect of a vegetarian diet on the reduction of blood pressure. We searched the randomized controlled trial (RCT) through Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register. Fifteen eligible RCTs with 856 subjects were entered into the analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that vegetarian diet consumption significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference (WMD), −2.66 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) = −3.76, −1.55, p < 0.001) and diastolic BP was WMD, −1.69 95% CI = −2.97, −0.41, p < 0.001) as compared to an omnivorous diet. In subgroup analysis, a vegan diet demonstrated a greater reduction in systolic BP (WMD, −3.12 mmHg; 95% CI = −4.54, −1.70, p < 0.001) as compared with a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (WMD, −1.75 mmHg, 95% CI −5.38, 1.88, p = 0.05). The vegan diet has showed a similar trend in terms of diastolic blood pressure reduction (WMD, −1.92 mmHg (95% CI = −3.18, −0.66, p < 0.001) but those with a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet showed no changes in diastolic BP reduction (WMD, 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.00), p = 0.432). In conclusion, vegetarian diets are associated with significant reductions in BP compared with omnivorous diets, suggesting that they may play a key role in the primary prevention and overall management of hypertension.

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Cross Sectional Analysis of the Effect of Yogurt and Fiber Consumption on BMI, Blood Pressure, and Lipids in College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa052_019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 750-750

Author(s):

Paige Farias ◽

Kathleen Melanson

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Fermented Foods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary History ◽

Fiber Consumption ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives Results from recent studies suggest that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is important for predicting health outcomes using biomarkers such as BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. College-aged students are an important population to consider as they are at a crucial stage in developing eating habits, including consumption of probiotic-rich, fermented foods and prebiotic fermentable nutrients. We hypothesize that yogurt consumption and fiber consumption will beneficially impact these outcomes and we explored a possible interaction. Methods In a cross-sectional design, 497 college students (76% female; 19.5 ± 3.62 yr; BMI 23.94 ± 4.72 kg/m2) enrolled in a general nutrition course completed the Dietary History Questionnaire II. Height and weight were measured, along with blood pressure with an electronic sphygmomanometer. Fasting blood glucose and lipids were measured with Cholestech. Median splits were used for yogurt (.05 cups/day) and fibers (18.71 grams/day) intakes. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine relationships of yogurt consumption and fiber consumption separately with BMI, blood pressure, and blood lipids. ANCOVA was used to control for added sugars intakes. To test for interactions between yogurt and fibers, 2 × 2 ANOVA and ANCOVA were used. Data are expressed as means ± standard deviations. Results Of the 497 students, 48% reported lower yogurt consumption while 50% reported lower fiber consumption. Univariate-measures analysis indicated a significant effect of higher yogurt consumption on BMI (P = .037), blood glucose (P = .048), and diastolic blood pressure (P = .035) while higher fiber consumption showed a significant effect on total cholesterol (P = .011), HDL (P = .045), and triglycerides (P = .006). LDL was not significantly impacted (P = .069). No significance differences were reported within interactions (P > .05). Conclusions Higher yogurt consumption was associated with lower BMI, blood glucose, and diastolic blood pressure, while higher fiber consumption was associated with beneficial effects on lipids. Lack of interaction between yogurt and fibers may be related to a low yogurt intake in this population. These findings may promote further research focusing on synbiosis to examine the impact of fiber when consumed conjunctively with probiotic foods. Funding Sources There was no external funding for this study.

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Vegetarian diet and cholesterol and TAG levels by gender

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014000883 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 721-726 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Zhi-Hong Jian ◽

Yi-Chen Chiang ◽

Chia-Chi Lung ◽

Chien-Chang Ho ◽

Pei-Chieh Ko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Study Data ◽

Vegan Diet ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vegetarian Diets ◽

Omnivorous Diet

AbstractObjectiveThe present study assessed the effects of vegetarian and omnivorous diets on HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), TAG and the ratio of HDL-C to total cholesterol (TC) by gender.DesignHDL-C, LDL-C, TAG and HDL-C:TC were compared among three diet groups (vegan, ovo-lacto vegetarian and omnivorous). Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to examine factors significantly and independently associated with vegetarian status and to estimate the β value of lipid profiles for the diet groups.SettingsA cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the Taiwanese Survey on the Prevalence of Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia and Hypertension (TwSHHH).SubjectsThe study comprised included 3257 men and 3551 women.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounders, vegan and ovo-lacto vegetarian diets lowered LDL-C levels (β=−10·98, P=0·005 and β=−7·12, P=0·025, respectively) in men compared with omnivorous diet. There was a significant association between HDL-C and vegan diet (β=−6·53, P=0·004). In females, the β values of HDL-C, TAG and HDL-C:TC were −5·72 (P<0·0001), 16·51 (P=0·011) and −0·02 (P=0·012) for vegan diet, and −4·86 (P=0·002), 15·09 (P=0·008) and −0·01 (P=0·026) for ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, when compared with omnivorous diet.ConclusionsVegan diet was associated with lower HDL-C concentrations in both males and females. Because the ovo-lacto vegetarian diet was effective in lowering LDL-C, it may be more appropriate for males.

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Schizophrenic patients’ cognitive functions in relation to their metabolic profile: a cross-sectional, comparative study on an Egyptian sample

Middle East Current Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s43045-020-00053-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dalia Hegazy Ali ◽

Doha Mostafa Elserafi ◽

Marwa Abdel Rahman Soltan ◽

Mohamed Fikry Eissa ◽

Hanan Ahmed Zein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Metabolic Profile ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

The Body ◽

Close Monitoring ◽

Outpatient Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Early Management

Abstract Background Patients with schizophrenia suffer from diffuse cognitive impairment and high prevalence of cardiovascular metabolic risks, associated with poor clinical outcomes. We aimed in this study to test the presence of cognitive impairment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia, and evaluate its possible relations to patients’ metabolic profile. We recruited forty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and their matched controls from the inpatient departments and outpatient services from January to December 2016. Schizophrenia diagnosis was confirmed by the ICD10 criteria checklist. Symptoms profile and severity were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Cognitive profile was assessed through (1) Trail Making Test, Parts A and B and (2) Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Visual Reproduction Test. Metabolic profile was assessed by measuring the body mass index, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile. SPSS (V. 22.0, IBM Corp., USA, 2013) was used for data analysis. Results The patients group had a significantly higher means in the speed of processing, executive function, attention, and working memory scores on TMT-A (p = 0.0), TMT-B (p = 0.00), and WMS-R (p = 0.029) and significantly higher FBG levels (p = 0.00). Correlation studies showed that the increase in patients’ age, illness duration, treatments, number of hospitalizations, number of episodes and of ECT sessions received, symptoms severity, and deficits in cognitive function scores was associated with higher BMI and FBG. Conclusions Patients with schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and vascular risk factors than the general population. Close monitoring and early management of these risk factors can promote better cognitive abilities and overall functions.

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The Impact of Vegan Diet in the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2123

Author(s):

Daniela Pollakova ◽

Aikaterini Andreadi ◽

Francesca Pacifici ◽

David Della-Morte ◽

Davide Lauro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Vegan Diet ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact

A protective effect of vegan diets on health outcomes has been observed in previous studies, but its impact on diabetes is still debated. The aim of this review is to assess the relationship between vegan diets and the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) along with its effect on glycemic control and diabetes-related complications. In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta–Analyses) guidelines, Pubmed and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched for all relevant studies. Seven observational and eight randomized controlled (RCTs) studies were included. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. We found that a vegan diet is associated with lower T2D prevalence or incidence and in T2D patients decreases high glucose values and improves glucose homeostasis, as reported from the majority of included studies. This approach seems to be comparable to other recommended healthful eating models, but as it may have potential adverse effects associated with the long-term exclusion of some nutrients, appropriate nutritional planning and surveillance are recommended, particularly in specific groups of diabetic patients such as frail elderly, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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Health Implications of a Vegetarian Diet

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/1559827611425762 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 250-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Kate Marsh ◽

Carol Zeuschner ◽

Angela Saunders

Keyword(s):

Health Benefits ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

Whole Grains ◽

Vegan Diet ◽

Eating Pattern ◽

Nutritional Needs ◽

Vegetarian Diets ◽

Treatment Of Obesity ◽

Chronic Health Problems

There is now a significant amount of research that demonstrates the health benefits of vegetarian and plant-based diets, which have been associated with a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer as well as increased longevity. Vegetarian diets are typically lower in fat, particularly saturated fat, and higher in dietary fiber. They are also likely to include more whole grains, legumes, nuts, and soy protein, and together with the absence of red meat, this type of eating plan may provide many benefits for the prevention and treatment of obesity and chronic health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although a well-planned vegetarian or vegan diet can meet all the nutritional needs of an individual, it may be necessary to pay particular attention to some nutrients to ensure an adequate intake, particularly if the person is on a vegan diet. This article will review the evidence for the health benefits of a vegetarian diet and also discuss strategies for meeting the nutritional needs of those following a vegetarian or plant-based eating pattern.

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Use of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in identifying cardiovascular risk factors in male brazilian adolescents

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p678 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 678

Author(s):

Lilian Messias Sampaio Brito ◽

Luis Paulo Gomes Mascarenhas ◽

Deise Cristiane Moser ◽

Ana Cláudia Kapp Titski ◽

Monica Nunes Lima Cat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Mass ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

High Blood Pressure ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p678 The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels on the prevalence of overweight and high blood pressure levels in adolescents. In this observational, cross-sectional study, 614 boys aged 10-14 years were assessed for height, body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP). CRF was assessed using a run test (Léger Test) and subjects were then grouped according to their CRF level. PA level was assessed through a questionnaire (The Three Day Physical Activity Recall) and classified into two groups, namely > 300 minutes of PA/week and < 300 minutes of PA/week. Maturational stage was evaluated according to the development of pubic hair (self-assessment) as proposed by Tanner. We used statistical descriptive analysis, univariate and multivariate analyses in the total participants and subjects were divided by age. Fifty percent of the sample performed < 300 minutes of PA/week and 67.6% had unsatisfactory CRF levels. There was a higher prevalence of unsatisfactory CRF levels among subjects with altered BMI (overweight), WC (abdominal obesity) or BP (high blood pressure) for all age groups. PA history, however, did not show any significance. A total of 31% of participants were overweight, 24.8% had abdominal obesity and 15.4% had increased BP. Unsatisfactory CRF levels were found to be a better predictor for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CV) risk factors than PA history, regardless of age group.

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Status kesehatan dan asupan mikronutrien vegetarian dan nonvegetarian di Bali

Jurnal Gizi Klinik Indonesia ◽

10.22146/ijcn.64443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 157

Author(s):

Ni Ketut Sutiari ◽

Ali Khomsan ◽

Hadi Riyadi ◽

Faisal Anwar ◽

Desak Putu Yuli Kurniati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Blood Glucose Levels ◽

Micronutrient Intake ◽

The Mean ◽

Vegetarian Diets ◽

Sugar Levels

Health status and micronutrient intake among vegetarian and non-vegetarian in BaliBackground: Several studies have reported that vegetarian diets have health benefits for those adopting the diets.Objective: This study aimed to compare anemia status and micronutrient intake between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in Bali.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Bali. A total of 240 samples consisting of 160 vegetarians and 80 non-vegetarians were randomly selected. Hemoglobin (Hb) and fasting blood sugar levels were measured using the cyanmethemoglobin method and enzymatic colorimetric, respectively. Meanwhile, the data on micronutrient intakes were collected by interviews using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the Mann-Whitney test was performed to analyze the differences.Results: The study’s results showed that the mean Hb levels in the vegetarian group were significantly lower than non-vegetarians (p=0.002; p<0.05), and the anemia status in vegetarian women were higher (22.5%) than non-vegetarian women (2.5%). The mean fasting blood glucose level in non-vegetarians was significantly higher than in the vegetarian group (p=0.000; p<0.05). There were no differences in zinc (Zn) intake between vegetarians and non-vegetarians, but there were significant differences (p<0.05) in vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid, magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) intakes.Conclusions: There were differences in anemia status and fasting blood glucose levels between vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The fasting blood glucose levels of non-vegetarians were higher than vegetarians, and there were differences in the intake of certain micronutrients between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

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METS-IR, a novel score to evaluate insulin sensitivity, is associated with the urinary albumin–creatinine ratio in Chinese adults: A cross-sectional REACTION study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-731268/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wanlu Su ◽

Jie Wang ◽

Songyan Yu ◽

Kang Chen ◽

Wenhua Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Urinary Albumin ◽

Postprandial Blood Glucose ◽

Creatinine Ratio ◽

Discriminative Ability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Albumin Creatinine Ratio

Abstract BackgroundThe metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) is a novel noninsulin-based metabolic index used as a substitution marker of insulin resistance. However, whether METS-IR is associated with the urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) is not well known. Therefore, we explored the associations between METS-IR and UACR and compared the discriminative ability of METS-IR and its components for elevated UACR. MethodsThis study included 37,290 subjects. METS-IR was calculated as follows: (Ln [2 × fasting blood glucose (FBG) + fasting triglyceride level (TG 0 )] × body mass index (BMI))/[Ln (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C))]. Participants were divided into four groups on the basis of METS-IR: <25%, 25%–49%, 50%–74%, and ≥75%. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between METS-IR vs. its components (FBG, TG 0 , BMI, and HDL-C) with UACR. ResultsParticipants with the highest quartile METS-IR presented a more significant trend towards elevated UACR than towards its components (odds ratio [OR]: 1.260, 95% CI: 1.152–1.378, P < 0.001 in all subjects; OR: 1.321, 95% CI: 1.104–1.579, P = 0.002 in men; OR: 1.201, 95% CI: 1.083–1.330, P < 0.001 in women). There were significant associations between METS-IR and UACR in younger participants (<65 years for women and 55–64 years for men). Increased METS-IR was significantly associated with UACR in men with FBG ≥ 5.6 mmol/L or postprandial blood glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/L and systolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg. The relationships were significant in women with diabetes and hypertension.ConclusionsIncreased METS-IR was significantly associated with elevated UACR, and its discriminative power for elevated UACR was superior to that of its components. This findings support the clinical significance of METS-IR for evaluating renal function damage.

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