"A lactoovovegetarian diet which includes eggs and dairy but excludes meat and fish and a Mediterranean diet are likely equally effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke according to new research in the American Heart Associations journal Circulation. Previous separate studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet reduces certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease as does a vegetarian diet however this was the first study to compare effects of the two distinct eating patterns Current study authors said they wanted to evaluate whether switching to a lactoovovegetarian diet would also be hearthealthy in people who were used to eating both meat and fish. To best evaluate this issue we decided to compare a lactoovovegetarian diet with a Mediterranean diet in the same group of people said Francesco Sofi M.D. Ph.D lead study author and professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Florence and Careggi University Hospital in Italy. The study included  healthy but overweight participants ages  who were randomly assigned to follow for three months either a lowcalorie vegetarian diet which included dairy and eggs or a lowcalorie Mediterranean diet for three months. The Mediterranean diet included poultry fish and some red meat as well as fruits vegetables beans and whole grains. After three months the participants switched diets. Most participants were able to stay on both diets. Researchers found participants on either diet   lost about  pounds of body fat  lost about  pounds of weight overall and  experienced about the same change in body mass index a measure of weight in relationship to height. Authors said they did find two differences between the diets that may be noteworthy. The vegetarian diet was more effective at reducing LDL the bad cholesterol while the Mediterranean diet resulted greater reductions in triglycerides high levels of which increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. Still the takehome message of our study is that a lowcalorie lactoovovegetarian diet can help patients reduce cardiovascular risk about the same as a lowcalorie Mediterranean diet Sofi said. People have more than one choice for a hearthealthy diet. In an editorial accompanying the study Cheryl A. M. Anderson Ph.D. M.P.H. M.S. an associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of California San Diego in California wrote that there were similarities between the two diets that may explain the results. Both follow a healthy dietary pattern rich in fruits and vegetables legumes beans whole grains and nuts focusing on diet variety nutrient density and appropriate amount of food and limiting energy intake from saturated fats. Anderson who was not involved in the study added that promoting both diets by healthcare professionals offer a possible solution to the ongoing challenges to prevent and manage obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Study limitations include the fact that participants were at relatively low risk of cardiovascular disease. Anderson said future research should compare the diets in patients at higher risk for heart disease and should also explore whether or not healthful versions of traditional diets around the world that emphasize fresh foods and limit sugars saturated fats and sodium can prevent and manage obesity and cardiovascular diseases.  Coauthors are Monica Dinu MSc. Giuditta Pagliai MSc. Francesca Cesari MSc. Ph.D. Anna Maria Gori MSc. Alice Sereni MSc. Matteo Becatti MSc. Ph.D. Claudia Fiorillo MSc. Ph.D. Rossella Marcucci M.D. Ph.D. and Alessandro Casini M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency commercial or notforprofit sectors. Additional Resources   Available multimedia located on the right column of the release link httpsnewsroom.heart.orgnewsvegetarianandmediterraneandietmaybeequallyeffectiveinpreventingheartdiseasepreviewbcfbefec  After February  view the manuscript and editorial online  Get Smart About Super Foods  Follow AHAASA news on Twitter HeartNews  For updates and new science from the Circulation journal follow CircAHA Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the associations policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals foundations and corporations including pharmaceutical device manufacturers and other companies also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. 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