A Defined, Plant-Based Diet and Other Integrative Therapies Improve Functional Status and Ejection Fraction while Reducing Medications in Patients With Heart Failure: A Case Series.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a major contributor of premature cardiovascular-related deaths. Patients are typically on numerous medications to manage this condition; however, patients continue to experience poor quality of life. Alternative therapeutic approaches are needed to treat HFrEF.

A defined, plant-based diet as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of heart failure: A clinical case series.

Background: Individuals diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) have a 50% five-year mortality rate and approximately 650,000 new cases of CHF are diagnosed annually. Plant-based diets are known to improve plasma lipid concentrations, reduce blood pressure, and as part of a lifestyle intervention, lead to the regression of atherosclerotic lesions. However, a paucity of data exists with regards to plant-based diets in the treatment of CHF.

Consumption of a defined, plant-based diet reduces lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and other atherogenic lipoproteins and particles within 4 weeks.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a highly atherogenic lipoprotein and is minimally effected by lifestyle changes. While some drugs can reduce Lp(a), diet has not consistently shown definitive reduction of this biomarker. The effect of consuming a plant-based diet on serum Lp(a) concentrations have not been previously evaluated.

A defined, plant-based diet utilized in an outpatient cardiovascular clinic effectively treats hypercholesterolemia and hypertension and reduces medications.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major economic burden in the United States. CVD risk factors, particularly hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, are typically treated with drug therapy. Five-year efficacy of such drugs to prevent CVD is estimated to be 5%.