"A new dietary review of  observational and controlled studies finds plantbased vegetarian diets especially vegan diets are associated with lower levels of total cholesterol including lower levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol compared to omnivorous diets. The metaanalysis appears as an online advance in Nutrition Reviews.  The study authorsYoko Yokoyama Ph.D. M.P.H. Susan Levin M.S. R.D. C.S.S.D. and Neal Barnard M.D. F.A.C.C.reviewed  observational studies and  clinical trials which met their inclusion criteria. They find  A plantbased vegetarian diet is associated with total cholesterol thats . mgdL lower in observational studies. In clinical trials a plantbased diet lowers total cholesterol by . mgdL.   In observational studies a plantbased vegetarian diet is associated with a . mgdL reduction in LDL cholesterol and a . mgdL reduction in HDL cholesterol compared to control groups following an omnivorous diet.   In clinical trials a plantbased vegetarian diet lowers LDL cholesterol by . mgdL and reduces HDL cholesterol by . mgdL compared to control groups following an omnivorous lowfat calorierestricted or a conventional diabetes diet.   A plantbased vegetarian diet is not associated with statistically significant changes in triglyceride levels in observational studies or in clinical trials.  The authors predict the strong correlation between vegetarian diets and lower cholesterol levels may be due to the association a plantbased diet has with a lower body weight a reduced intake of saturated fat and an increased intake of plant foods like vegetables fruits legumes nuts and whole grains which are naturally rich in components such as soluble fiber soy protein and plant sterols.  The study authors hypothesize that the greater risk reduction for total HDL and LDL cholesterol levels observed in the longitudinal studies is likely due to longterm adherence to plantbased eating patterns and changes in body composition.  The immediate health benefits of a plantbased diet like weight loss lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol are well documented in controlled studies says study author Susan Levin M.S. R.D. C.S.S.D. Our goal with studying plasma lipids throughout the lifespan is to capture the net risk reduction of using a vegetarian diet to control lipid levels. We hope to empower patients with new research about the longterm cardiovascular health benefits of a vegetarian diet which include a reduced risk of a heart attack stroke and premature death.  Charles Ross D.O. a member of the nonprofit Physicians Committee and a former emergency department physician has firsthand experience with putting a plantbased diet into practice.  Dr. Ross is in his late s takes no medications and lowered his previously high total cholesterol from  mgdL to a healthy  mgdL after adopting a wholefood plantbased diet in . Within the first month of making the dietary change he effortlessly lost  pounds. Within a year Dr. Ross traded a year career of practicing emergency medicine for a new career path lifestyle medicine. After . years of making the career switch he continues to host free biweekly nutrition classes for his primary care patients and the community. More than  people have enrolled to learn how to lose weight eliminate the need for medications to treat type  diabetes hypertension and elevated cholesterol and to simply feel better. His former hometown of Roseburg Ore. is now a Blue Zones community. He is a parttime instructor at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest and hopes to set an example for future physicians.  I no longer work for a living notes Dr. Ross who now resides in Westfir Ore. I wake up every day eager to hear about how a plantbased diet and a healthful lifestyle is changing and saving lives in our community. What Ive found is that if you want your patients to make significant health changes you have to make them yourself. The prescription started to spread soon after my family coworkers neighbors and friends heard about my experience. For clinicians concerned about spending extra time in and outside of the exam room the study authors encourage timestrapped health care providers to refer patients to registered dietitians who can help with the transition to a plantbased vegetarian diet. The  Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlights a healthy vegetarian diet as one of three healthful eating plans to follow.  The study authors also note hyperlipidemia or elevated cholesterol and triglycerides is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. A  percent increase in the prevalence of treatment for hyperlipidemia can prevent  deaths each year. Taking small steps like those proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel  which include assessing heart disease risk making lifestyle and dietary recommendations and assessing the need for future followup appointments and pharmaceutical interventions could prevent approximately  heart attacks  cases of coronary heart disease and save almost  billion in medical costs each year.  To make any form of health care work and to truly power economic mobility we have to get healthy says Levin. The first place to start is by building meals around nutrientpacked plantbased foods which fit into nearly every cultural template taste preference and budget.   To request a copy of the study or to request an interview with a study author please contact Jessica Frost at .  Founded in  the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine conducts clinical research and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research."