A recent study conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University Health has shed light on the potential benefits of various vegetarian diets in protecting against the risk of mortality and related conditions. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analyzed data from the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort, which included nearly 96,000 Seventh-day Adventist individuals living in the United States and Canada.
The results of the study revealed that vegetarian diets were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and many cause-specific mortalities, particularly among males and middle-aged individuals. However, the study also found slightly higher risks of neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease among very elderly vegetarians. Despite this, the pesco-vegetarian diet, which includes fish, was found to offer the most protection against risk in very elderly people.
Gary Fraser, MBCHB, PhD, the distinguished professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the principal investigator of the study, highlighted that while vegetarian diets appear to offer protection from the risk of death through middle-aged years, this advantage seems to diminish for strict vegetarians once they reach their 80s. The increased risks observed among very elderly vegetarians for neurological conditions suggest that further research is needed to better understand these findings and ensure that the benefits of a vegetarian diet continue into later years.
The study categorized participants‘ dietary patterns into five groups: non-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, and vegan. The results showed that Adventist vegetarians overall had a 12% lower risk of death compared to Adventist non-vegetarians. Specifically, individuals with a pesco-vegetarian diet had an 18% lower risk of death, while those following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet had a 15% lower risk. Vegans, on the other hand, had a less than 3% decrease in risk of death, with male vegans showing better outcomes compared to females.
According to Fraser, the study provides clear evidence that American vegetarians are more protected from premature death than non-vegetarians. The findings underscore the potential health benefits of adopting a vegetarian diet, particularly for middle-aged individuals and males. However, the study also highlights the need for ongoing research to better understand the impact of vegetarian diets on neurological conditions in very elderly individuals.
In conclusion, the study offers valuable insights into the protective effects of vegetarian diets against mortality and related conditions. While there are some variations in risk based on specific dietary patterns and age groups, the overall benefits of vegetarian diets are clear. Further research in this area has the potential to inform public health recommendations and support individuals in making informed dietary choices for optimal health and longevity.
