The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals
Plant-based diets, defined here as including both vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, are growing in popularity throughout the Western world for various reasons, including concerns for human health and the health of the planet. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/11/4144 |
| _version_ | 1797508942836793344 |
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| author | Winston J. Craig Ann Reed Mangels Ujué Fresán Kate Marsh Fayth L. Miles Angela V. Saunders Ella H. Haddad Celine E. Heskey Patricia Johnston Enette Larson-Meyer Michael Orlich |
| author_facet | Winston J. Craig Ann Reed Mangels Ujué Fresán Kate Marsh Fayth L. Miles Angela V. Saunders Ella H. Haddad Celine E. Heskey Patricia Johnston Enette Larson-Meyer Michael Orlich |
| author_sort | Winston J. Craig |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plant-based diets, defined here as including both vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, are growing in popularity throughout the Western world for various reasons, including concerns for human health and the health of the planet. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based diets and have a reduced environmental impact, including producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Dietary guidelines are normally formulated to enhance the health of society, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and prevent nutritional deficiencies. We reviewed the scientific data on plant-based diets to summarize their preventative and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age. Plant-based diets, which are high in fiber and polyphenolics, are also associated with a diverse gut microbiota, producing metabolites that have anti-inflammatory functions that may help manage disease processes. Concerns about the adequate intake of a number of nutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fats, are discussed. The use of fortified foods and/or supplements as well as appropriate food choices are outlined for each nutrient. Finally, guidelines are suggested for health professionals working with clients consuming plant-based diets. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:11:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8db5f5b8440e4b3d8b4c1651e955baf4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:11:01Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-8db5f5b8440e4b3d8b4c1651e955baf42023-11-23T00:51:21ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-11-011311414410.3390/nu13114144The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health ProfessionalsWinston J. Craig0Ann Reed Mangels1Ujué Fresán2Kate Marsh3Fayth L. Miles4Angela V. Saunders5Ella H. Haddad6Celine E. Heskey7Patricia Johnston8Enette Larson-Meyer9Michael Orlich10Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USAVegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, MD 21203, USAeHealth Group, Instituto de Salud Global Barcelona (ISGlobal), 08036 Barcelona, SpainPrivate Practice, Chatswood, NSW 2067, AustraliaCenter for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USANutrition Insights, Sanitarium Health Food Company, Berkeley Vale, NSW 2261, AustraliaCenter for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USACenter for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USACenter for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyles, and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USAHuman Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USASchool of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USAPlant-based diets, defined here as including both vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, are growing in popularity throughout the Western world for various reasons, including concerns for human health and the health of the planet. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based diets and have a reduced environmental impact, including producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Dietary guidelines are normally formulated to enhance the health of society, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and prevent nutritional deficiencies. We reviewed the scientific data on plant-based diets to summarize their preventative and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age. Plant-based diets, which are high in fiber and polyphenolics, are also associated with a diverse gut microbiota, producing metabolites that have anti-inflammatory functions that may help manage disease processes. Concerns about the adequate intake of a number of nutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fats, are discussed. The use of fortified foods and/or supplements as well as appropriate food choices are outlined for each nutrient. Finally, guidelines are suggested for health professionals working with clients consuming plant-based diets.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/11/4144plant-based dietsvegetarianvegansustainabilitymicrobiomevitamin B12 |
| spellingShingle | Winston J. Craig Ann Reed Mangels Ujué Fresán Kate Marsh Fayth L. Miles Angela V. Saunders Ella H. Haddad Celine E. Heskey Patricia Johnston Enette Larson-Meyer Michael Orlich The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals Nutrients plant-based diets vegetarian vegan sustainability microbiome vitamin B12 |
| title | The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals |
| title_full | The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals |
| title_fullStr | The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals |
| title_short | The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals |
| title_sort | safe and effective use of plant based diets with guidelines for health professionals |
| topic | plant-based diets vegetarian vegan sustainability microbiome vitamin B12 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/11/4144 |
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