Vegetarian diet, change in dietary patterns, and diabetes risk: a prospective study

Abstract

Background/objectivesVegetarian diets are inversely associated with diabetes in Westerners but their impact on Asians—whose pathophysiology differ from Westerners—is unknown. We aim to investigate the association between a vegetarian diet, change in dietary patterns and diabetes risk in a Taiwanese Buddhist population.MethodsWe prospectively followed 2918 non-smoking, non-alcohol drinking Buddhists free of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases at baseline, for a median of 5 years, with 183 incident diabetes cases confirmed. Diet was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline and a simple questionnaire during follow-ups. Incident cases of diabetes were ascertained through follow-up questionnaires, fasting glucose and HbA1C. Stratified Cox Proportional Hazards Regression was used to assess the effect of diets on risk of diabetes.ResultsConsistent vegetarian diet was associated with 35% lower hazards (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.92), while converting from a nonvegetarian to a vegetarian pattern was associated with 53% lower hazards (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.71) for diabetes, comparing with nonvegetarians while adjusting for age, gender, education, physical activity, family history of diabetes, follow-up methods, use of lipid-lowering medications, and baseline BMI.ConclusionVegetarian diet and converting to vegetarian diet may protect against diabetes independent of BMI among Taiwanese.

Vegetarian diet and incidence of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke in 2 cohorts in Taiwan

“…diabetes. 6,25 The mean concentration of LDL-cholesterol in our vegetarians was 11% lower than in the nonvegetarians (115 vs 129 mg/dL). This may contribute to significant protection, as a 10% reduction in LDL-cholesterol has been shown to reduce the relative risk of primary stroke by 13.5% in a meta-analysis of statin trials.…”

Vegetarian diet and risk of gout in two separate prospective cohort studies

“…Better control of blood pressures may reduce the needs for diuretic, further lowering uric acids. In addition, vegetarian diets are associated with lower cardiovascular diseases [21,49] and diabetes [19,20]. The use of soy to replace animal protein had also been shown to preserve renal function in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [50].…”

“…Plant foods contain polyphenols that may reduce uric acid by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activities and enhancing uric acid excretion [14], and phytochemicals that may attenuate the NLRP3 pathway [15,16]. In addition, vegetarian diets have been shown to reduce gout associated comorbidities, such as hypertension [17,18], diabetes [19,20], and cardiovascular diseases [21].…”

Vegetarian Diets and the Risk of Diabetes

“…A recent observational study followed 2918 non-smoking, non-alcohol drinking Buddhists who were free of chronic disease at baseline [ 12 •]. After a mean follow-up of 5 years, there were 183 cases of diabetes.…”

“…For example, soybeans are a common protein substitution for lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans. This food is high in lysine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, calcium, and phosphate, all of which have been shown to aid in increasing glycemic control and insulin sensitivity [ 12 •, 24 ]. Overall, vegetarians have a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, fiber, and antioxidants, and phytochemicals.…”