Abstract
Background and Objectives: Coronary atherosclerosis is one of the most prevalent causes of deaths worldwide. It is necessary to find simple, inexpensive, and accessible procedures for preventing atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine vegetarian diet effects on the coronary atherosclerosis in angiographically documented patients.
Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients (mean age about 51.7 yrs) that for clinical reasons had coronary angiography were randomly assigned into a low fat vegetarian diet (15 cases including 11 men and 4 women) and an usual diet control group (17 cases including 15 wen and 2 women). The vegetarian group was recommended to consume only vegetarian diet and no animal diet. The control group was free to consume any food. Coronary angiography was done at the beginning and the end of the study and coronary atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed by visual assessment. Total cholestrol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride, BMI and anginal class were determind at the beginning and the end of the study.
Results: Total cholestrol, LDL BMI and anginal class decreased significantly in the vegetarian group and did not change significantly in the control group. HDL did not change significantly in both groups. Triglyceride was decreased significantly in the control group but not in the vegetarian one. Mean cross sectional percent stenosis of the atherosclerotic lesions increased significantly in the vegetarian group (about 3%, P ≈ 0/549) and significantly in control group (about 35%, P ≈ 0/000). Coronary atherosclerotic lesions in the vegetarian group progressed in 40% out of cases, stabilized in the 27% and regressed in the 32% of patients. In the control group all the lesions progressed.
Conclusion: This study showed the beneficial effects of the vegetarian diet on the regression of coronary atherosclerosis and in decreasing cholesterol, LDL, BMI and anginal class.