People eat vegetarian diets for a number of reasons, but health is one of the more prevalent reasons why. However, there have also been a lot of doubts over whether a vegetarian diet really is healthy over the long term. While some studies suggested that plant-based diets were helpful, others indicated that they might not be as helpful as once thought. A new study supports the idea that a vegetarian diet is helpful for individuals hoping to fight against heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, people that consumed plant-based diets were far less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
This begs a very big question: should more people go on a plant-based diet?
Like many other senior care questions, the answer is a big “Maybe.”
A plant-based diet can do a lot of good. The research team found that those who ate this type of diet had a 16 percent less risk of having heart disease and a 32 percent less chance of dying from heart disease.
The study also pointed out that a completely vegetarian diet was not necessary to reap the health benefits of this type of diet. Reducing the amount of animal based foods and replacing that with plant based foods can have a positive impact on health, too.
This study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. They recently published their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Plant-based or other special diets are not for everyone, but if your loved one is at risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart attack, then this might be worth speaking to a medical professional about. It’s always best to speak to a physician before making changes to diet. They can give you the professional guidance that you need and ensure that the healthy changes that you’re hoping for are more fully realized. Changing a diet without looking at repercussions may have a negative impact on health, just as many critics of vegetarian diets contend.
A good diet is important, but it’s just one thing that you can do to help improve a loved one’s (or your own!) health. This is why we highly recommend working with a professional caregiver when it comes to an elderly loved one. By ensuring that your loved one is taking their medications correctly, is eating right, and has a companion with them and making sure they are safe, your loved one is likely to be a lot healthier and happier. A trained caregiver can do all of this, and other household tasks, on a daily basis.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. We offer free consultations here in the Bay Area and would love to sit down and discuss with you how in-home care can help your family provide a better quality of life for your loved one. There’s no obligation on your part, and even if we’re not the right resource for you, you’ll still come away having a greater understanding of what your family needs and how to get it.
Call us today to get started.
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