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Plant-Based Diets Are Not Nutritionally Deficient

http://www.thepermanentejournal.org/issues/2013/fall/5552-diet.html

Re: Tuso PJ, Ismail MH, Ha BP, Bartolotto C. Nutritional update for physicians: plant-based diets. Perm J 2013 Spring;17(2):61-66. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7812/TPP/12-085

Dear Editor,

We would like to thank Philip Tuso, MD, and associates for their comprehensive review of the evidence supporting the value of plant-based diets for preventing and curing the epidemic of diseases caused by overnutrition that are sickening millions of people in the US and crippling our nation’s economy. However, counterproductive to the authors’ goal that “physicians should consider recommending a plant-based diet to all of their patients” is the authors’ dedication of a substantial portion of their article to the possibility of deficiencies of selected nutrients. In our experience of treating more than 5000 patients with a low-fat, whole foods, plant-based (vegan) diet, with follow-up lasting as long as 28 years, we have not seen any deficiencies of protein, iron, calcium, or essential fatty acids. (We do recommend to our patients a vitamin B12 supplement and adequate sunshine for vitamin D.)

Tuso et al characterize the risk of these deficiencies as low, but deserving of monitoring. The risks are so low that illnesses because of the lack of any of these essential nutrients, including protein,1 have not been reported to occur on any natural human diet (as long as calorie intake is sufficient). Dietary manipulation or supplementation to improve the overall quality, or to increase the absolute quantity, of protein, iron, calcium, or fatty acids has not been found to be beneficial. To the contrary, excess protein is a major contributor to bone loss,2 kidney stones, and kidney failure.3 Although iron stores may be lower in vegetarians, there is no reported increase in incidence of iron deficiency anemia.4 Data supporting the benefits of calcium supplementation to improve bone health is lacking, and adverse effects, such as an increased risk of fracture5 and myocardial infarction6 from supplementation have been reported.Plasma levels of essential fatty acids can be lower in vegetarians, but there has been no reported clinical consequence of this laboratory finding.7 In addition, randomized placebo controlled trials for the primary8 and secondary9 prevention of cardiovascular disease with omega-3 supplements have been disappointing as of late. Furthermore, there is concern that these “good fats” may increase the risk of common cancers, including prostate cancer.10

More than a half-century of creative marketing by the meat, dairy, egg, and fish industries has produced fears surrounding nonexistent deficiencies, which in clinical practice need no patient monitoring by physicians and dietitians. Hopefully our concerns for overemphasizing the importance of largely theoretical risk will remove an unnecessary hindrance to the acceptance and practice of scientifically sound plant-based diets as recommended by Tuso and associates.

Craig McDougall, MD Northwest Permanente, Portland, OR

John McDougall, MD The McDougall Program, Santa Rosa, CA

References
1. Millward DJ. Meat or wheat for the next millennium? Plenary lecture. The nutritional value of plant-based diets in relation to human amino acid and protein requirements. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1999 May;58(2):249-60. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0029665199000348
2. Frassetto LA, Sebastian A. Commentary to accompany the paper entitled ‘Nutritional disturbance in acid-base balance and osteoporosis: a hypothesis that disregards the essential homeostatic role of the kidney’, by Jean-Philippe Bonjour. Br J Nutr 2013 Jun 17:1-3. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513001499
3. Adeva MM, Souto G. Diet-induced metabolic acidosis. Clin Nutr 2011 Aug;30(4):416-21. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2011.03.008
4. Hunt JR. Bioavailability of iron, zinc, and other trace minerals from vegetarian diets. Am J Clin Nutr 2003 Sep;78(3 Suppl):633S-639S.
5. Seeman E. Evidence that calcium supplements reduce fracture risk is lacking. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010 Jan;5 Suppl 1:S3-11. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2215/CJN.06160809
6. Bolland MJ, Avenell A, Baron JA, et al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis. BMJ 2010 Jul 29;341:c3691. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c3691
7. Sanders TA. DHA status of vegetarians. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2009 Aug-Sep;81(2-3):137-41. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2009.05.013
8. Risk and Prevention Study Collaborative Group; Roncaglioni MC, Tombesi M, Avanzini F, et al. n-3 fatty acids in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. N Engl J Med 2013 May 9;368(19):1800-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1205409
9. Galan P, Kesse-Guyot E, Czernichow S, Briancon S, Blacher J, Hercberg S; SU.FOL.OM3 Collaborative Group. Effect of B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases: a randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ 2010 Nov 29;341:c6273. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c6273
10. Brasky TM, Darke AK, Song X, et al. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids and prostate cancer risk in the SELECT trial. J Natl Cancer Inst 2013 Aug 7;105(15):1132-41. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djt174

Response to Drs Craig and John McDougall

We thank Drs John and Craig McDougall for their interest in our article. Although we understand their point of view, from a clinical perspective, we are obligated to inform physicians of potential concerns, even if the risk for harm is low.

It may be true that eating a healthy, plant-based diet can offer the optimal amount of most nutrients needed to support health. Not every person however, will follow a quality diet, so it is important for physicians to understand what these potential concerns might be.

Phillip Tuso, MD Mohamed Ismail, MD Benjamin Ha, MD Carole Bartolotto, MA, RD

2 comments on “Plant-Based Diets Are Not Nutritionally Deficient

  1. Dr. Kyle, I very much like your website and I and getting good use of the resources you list on the right side of your page. I am trying to manage my health issues with a plant-based diet and I could use some help from you. Can I simply make an appointment with you at your Corvallis or Monroe office? Thanks for all of your holistic efforts. Bill

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