Friday June 14, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that men and women who eat a vegetarian diet can live longer than those who are omnivores or non-vegetarians.

Michael J. Orlich, MD and colleagues looked at data from Adventist Health Study and found vegetarian diet associated with reduced mortality or risk of death from all causes.

Enrolled in the study between 2002 and 2007 were 96,469 Seventh-day Adventist men and women.  Five dietary patterns considered for the study included non-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, lacto-ovo–vegetarian, and vegan diets.  Deaths were identified from the National Death Index.

During 5.79 years of follow-up, 2570 deaths were recorded among 78 308 who were selected for the analysis.  After adjustment, the all-cause mortality for all vegetarians combined were 12% lower, compared with non-vegetarians.

The all-cause death rate was 15% lower among vegans, 9% lower among lacto-ovo vegetarians, 19% lower among pesco-vegetarians and 8% lower among semi-vegetarians, compared with non-vegetarians.

Vegetarian diets were associated with reduced "cardiovascular mortality, noncardiovascular noncancer mortality, renal mortality, and endocrine mortality."  The risk reduction was more significant in men than women.

The researchers concluded "Vegetarian diets are associated with lower all-cause mortality and with some reductions in cause-specific mortality. Results appeared to be more robust in males. These favorable associations should be considered carefully by those offering dietary guidance." (reporting by Davi d Liu, PHD)