Prevention of cardiovascular disease through a plant-based diet

Abstract

Topic Overview: Dietary interventions play a major role in cardiovascular risk management. However, the optimal diet for prevention of cardiovascular disease is not yet defined. A plant-based diet is reported as having a high grade of evidence in positive health results, especially in relation to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the relationship between a plant-based diet and the risk of developing cardiovascular problems, according to evidence-based research. The Research Question: Amongst Adults, does a plant-based diet prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease? PICO Elements: Population Adults. Intervention Plant-based diet. Comparison Any other diet. Outcome Prevention of Cardiovascular disease.

The Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: The inclusion criteria included studies which were published in the past ten years, were conducted in the English language and were of reliable source; articles or peer-reviewed journals. Letters, newspaper articles, editorial reviews, interviews, books and past dissertations formed part of the exclusion criteria. The population included both males and females above the age of sixteen and those not having history of cardiovascular disease or having moderate to high-risk. The intervention included all diets which fall under the plant-based diet umbrella term (lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets). The comparison included any other type of diet which is not plant-based. The outcome excluded any disease which is not related to cardiovascular disease, and therefore included cardiovascular risk and disease.

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The Outcome of the Search: This search was completed using both electronic and manual searches. Electronic searches were conducted on CINAHL complete (EBSCO), PubMed Central, PubMed and Google Scholar. Manual searching required searching through bibliographies of related literature. As a result, three systematic reviews, two randomised controlled trials and one cross-sectional study, were deemed appropriate. Methods of Appraisal used: For this dissertation the CASP and JBI tools were adapted according to the study design. Results and conclusion: Positive results are seen in decreasing cardiac events, cholesterol levels, preventing cardiovascular and ischemic heart diseases and managing body weight, BMI and hypertension. However, two systematic reviews showed a negative increase in triglyceride levels; an overall positive result was still reported among these studies. Conclusion: The studies used in this dissertation conclude that plant-based diets prevent cardiovascular disease and reduces cardiovascular risk factors; BMI, obesity, weight and abdominal adiposity, cholesterol profile, ischaemic heart disease, cardiac events and hypertension. Important Implications and Recommendations: Further local studies are needed as to assess the effectiveness of this correlation among the local population. In addition, health promotion regarding a PBD in relation to CV health is recommended as to adjust the high rates of CV morbidity.