This diagram illustrates how certain components of the plant-based diet target specific stages of atherogenesis. Atherogenesis leads to atherosclerosis. By preventing stages of atherogenesis, the plant-based diet can prevent the development of atherosclerosis and thus coronary artery disease.

A Look at How Plant-Based Diets Target the Stages of Atherogenesis

Vascular endothelial cells make up the inner lining of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Vascular endothelial cells are active in maintaining homeostasis in the body by managing uptake, metabolism, and synthesis of many substances. When VECs are injured, they produce an inflammatory response. Dysfunctional VECs cannot produce nitric oxide or prevent the adhesion of LDL, platelets and monocytes to the VEC.

Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury

As a result of VEC dysfunction, LDL and monocytes migrate into the sub-endothelial space. This is the area located below the endothelial cells. Here, LDL becomes oxidized and promote monocytes to transform to macrophages.

LDL Oxidation

 Effects of a plant-based diet on CAD include prevention of 
progression of atherogenesis. Atherogenesis is the formation of fatty plaques on arterial walls. The steps of atherogenesis include: 
- Vascular endothelial cell injury
- LDL oxidation
- Macrophage activation

Plant-based diets can also have many other effects on CAD outside of the process of atherogenesis. These include:
- reduction in LDL and other lipoprotein levels
- reduced risk of a cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, 
- reduction in all-cause mortality

University of Pittsburgh

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The plant-based diet is a diet low in animal products, fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar. It was first used as a medical intervention for patients with atherosclerosis in the early 1980s.

The Plant-Based Diet

Tuso, P., Stoll, S. R., & Li, W. W. (2015). A plant-based diet, atherogenesis, and coronary artery disease prevention. The Permanente journal, 19(1), 62–67. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/14-036 

Learn Before

Related

Learn After