Compared to meat eaters, people who followed a vegan or vegetarian diet had lower blood levels of certain fats in their blood that can block arteries and possibly lead to heart disease and stroke, new research shows.
If people start eating vegetarian or vegan diets from an early age, the potential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by blocked arteries is substantial, says study author.
Vegetarian and vegan diets are linked to lower levels of cholesterol and fats in your blood, according to an analysis of all the evidence from randomised trials published since 1982. The authors of the study, which is published in the European Heart Journal, say this means that plant-based diets can play a significant role in reducing blocked arteries, thereby lowering the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks.
The statement recommends strategies to help patients stay on statin medications and suggests alternatives that can be used in patients who really cannot tolerate statins.
The National Lipid Association updated its scientific statement on statin intolerance with a revised definition of statin intolerance and new guidance on how to manage patients with true or partial statin intolerance. The scientific statement, presented at the NLA Scientific Sessions and published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, defines statin intolerance as “one or more adverse