For the vegetarians...

sweet_lotus
sweet_lotus Posts: 194 Member
edited September 27 in Food and Nutrition
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/us-vegetarians-idUSTRE7305ZB20110401

A new study of 700 people in Italy found that vegetarians were less likely to have metabolic syndrome, and therefore less likely to have risk factors of diabetes and heart disease. From the article:

"In the study, 23 out of every 100 vegetarians were found to have at least three metabolic syndrome factors, compared with thirty-nine out of every 100 non-vegetarians and 37 out of every 100 semi-vegetarians.

'I was expecting there should be a difference,' said Nico Rizzo of Loma Linda University, the lead researcher on the study. "But I didn't expect that it would be that much.'"

Researchers aren't sure if the benefit is derived from an absence of meat eating, or if it was due to the fact that the vegetarians tend to have lower BMIs than non-vegetarians. The vegetarians in the study had, on average, 4 points lower BMIs than their meat eating counter parts. Increasing BMI is associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome.

The study found the relationship between vegetarian diets and lower risks for metabolic syndrome "persists after adjusting for lifestyle and demographic factors."

Replies

  • jhamlin6668
    jhamlin6668 Posts: 23 Member
    Thanks for posting. I'm seriously considering converting. I don't eat red meat and eat very little poultry and fish. I'm just trying to figure out some recipes and meal plans before I do it. Thanks again for the info.
  • drasr
    drasr Posts: 181
    That's a targeted study. It is specific for one disease or to be more appropriate syndrome.
  • guppygirl322
    guppygirl322 Posts: 408 Member
    I've been a vegetarian for YEARS! Thanks for the affirmation. Love my veggies!
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