Effects of Plant-Based Diet on Peripheral Arterial Disease

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) will be included in the study. Inclusion criteria for PAD included an ankle brachial index (ABI) of 0.90 or less at baseline. Those with an ABI greater than 0.90 at baseline were eligible if a non-invasive vascular ultrasound demonstrated PAD, lower extremity angiography showed arterial stenosis of 70% or greater, or medical records documented prior revascularization of lower extremities.9 Additionally, subjects must be willing and able to maintain an on-line food journal using smartphone-based dietary apps. Once enrolled, all participants underwent baseline evaluation, after which they were enrolled in either dietary advice for plant-based diet (PBD group) or no specific dietary advice (control group). The dietary intervention was continued for four months, at the end of which a follow up evaluation was performed.