Defining an Overdue Requiem for Palliative Cardiovascular Medicine

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death globally.
• CVD is notably rare in populations consuming whole food, plant-based diets (WFPBN).
• Current pharmaceutical and interventional treatments for CVD have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of WFPBN in preventing and halting CVD.
• To explore the scientific basis for the protective effects of plant-based diets against CVD.
• To question the lack of adoption of WFPBN in cardiovascular medicine.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological studies, including wartime deprivation and population transition studies.
• Prospective randomized and non-randomized investigations.
• Basic scientific studies examining gut microbiota and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) production.

Main Results:

• WFPBN is associated with virtually nonexistent rates of CVD in certain cultures.
• Studies demonstrate the utility of plant-based nutrition in halting and preventing CVD.
• Omnivores possess gut bacteria that produce TMAO from animal foods, which injures blood vessels; plant-based eaters lack this capability.

Conclusions:

• WFPBN is a safe, simple, and effective therapy for halting and preventing coronary artery disease.
• The cardiovascular medicine community's failure to embrace WFPBN contrasts with overwhelming evidence.
• There is a critical need to re-evaluate current therapeutic approaches for CVD in favor of plant-based nutrition.