Vegetarianism, dietary fibre and gastro-intestinal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To review the association between vegetarianism, dietary fibre and gastro-intestinal disease.


METHODS
There is an increasing trend towards vegetarianism in the United Kingdom. Studies have shown a lower than expected death rate in vegetarians with a significant association between meat eating and mortality from all causes in men. Vegetarians were found to have a lower incidence of gastro-intestinal cancer, gallstones, diverticular disease and constipation. Patients treated with vegetarian/high-fibre diets have not experienced significant benefits when diets are used in gastro-intestinal cancer, peptic ulcer disease or inflammatory bowel disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits of a vegetarian life-style may be conferred to non-vegetarians by eating a carefully planned non-vegetarian diet consisting of increased fruit, vegetables and fibre.
Nair
P
P
Gastrointestinal Research Unit, Leicester General Hospital, UK.
Mayberry
J F
JF
D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000178:diet therapy; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology