Vegetarian Diet Info
Vegetarian Diet, Mortality & Health
Information on Vegetarian Diet Mortality, Cancer Mortality & Risk of Disease

Vegetarian Diet
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Vegetarian Diet and Mortality

• In an 11-year study of 1,900 vegetarians in Germany, Chang-Claude (1992) found mortality from all causes was reduced by one-half compared with the general population. This was mainly attributable to reduced cardiovascular disease in both vegetarian men and women. A longer duration of vegetarianism was associated with a lower risk, pointing to a real protective effect of the lifestyle (Chang-Claude, 1993).
  
  
• A 12-year follow-up study of 6,115 British vegetarians and 5,015 meat-eaters found cancer mortality was 39 per cent lower and ischaemic heart disease 28 per cent lower among the vegetarians. (Thorogood, 1994).

Summary - Vegetarian Diet Reduces Mortality Risk

While other factors influencing health such as socioeconomic differences, smoking and physical activity may play a confounding role in these studies, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a reduced risk of mortality is directly linked to a vegetarian diet.

Sources include:

Claude-Chang, J et al. (1992) Mortality pattern of German vegetarians after 11 years of follow-up. Epidemiology v.3 (5) p.395-401.

Thorogood, M et al. (1994) Risk from death from cancer and ischaemic heart disease in meat and non meat-eaters. BMJ v.308 p.1667-1671.

Thorogood, M et al. (1987) Plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol in people with different diets in Britain. BMJ v.295 p.351-3.

Thorogood, M et al. (1990) Dietary intake and plasma lipid levels: lessons from a study of the diet of health conscious groups. BMJ v.300 p.1297-1301.

Vegetarian Diet