BY Jimmy Downs

Saturday Dec 1, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A review study released in Public Health Nutrition suggests that the simplest and cheapest maybe most effective way to prevent cancer, heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 is to use a plant-based diet or a diet with little meat.  This is not news for many researchers and savvy consumers. But many food consumers know little about how their diet may affect the risk of these deadly diseases.

C. T. McEvoy at Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science B in Belfast, UK and colleagues reviewed epidemiological evidence for the association between vegetarian diets, low-meat dietary patterns and health status in adults.

The reviewers found both vegetarian diets and prudent diets with only small amounts of red meat are correlated with reduced risk of diseases, particularly coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.   Some evidence also suggests an association between vegetarian diets and cancer prevention.

On the other hand,  evidence is convincing that eating red meat, particularly processed meat increases risk of coronary heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is the primary reason for many people to use a plant-based diet.

Some nutrition experts like Dr. T. Colin Campbell, nutrition professor at Cornell University and Dr.  Dean Ornish,  professor in medicine at University of California at San Francisco know a plant-based diet can help prevent and even treat diseases like coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes mellitus.  It has been observed that 99% of patients with coronary heart disease can stop progression of the disease and in many cases reverse the disease condition.

Former President Bill Clinton has been using a plant-based diet for a couple of years.  He does not eat meat now and only allows a bit of fish in his diet, he has lost lots of junk weight and he says he feels better than ever.

One thing vegetarians or vegans or those who don't use animal based foods need to pay attention to their need for vitamin B12.  A vegan diet or plant-based diet can provide everything a food consumer needs with an exception for vitamin B12, which is only found in animal based foods.  Those who do not use animal-based foods should take vitamin B12 supplements.