Vegetarian nutrition and wellness / edited by Winston J. Craig.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Vegetarian diets : trends in acceptance and perception. What do the dietary guidelines suggest? -- Vegetarian diets : what is their impact on the environment? -- How sustainable are vegetarian diets? -- Vegetarian diets and risk of cardiovascular disease -- Risk of cancer in vegetarians -- Plant-based diets and risk of osteoporosis -- The role of vegetarian diets in body weight management -- The role of soy in human health -- The role of legumes in maintaining health -- Critical nutrients in a plant-based diet -- Vegetarian practices among Asian Indians and their risk of disease -- Are plant-based diets safe and adequate for pregnant women and young children -- Nutritionally adequate vegetarian diets and athletic performance -- Optimal performance on a vegetarian diet.

A large amount of research effort goes into assessing the health benefits of a plant-based diet, resulting from human desire to consume a more sustainable diet that is less destructive of the earth's natural resources. In addition, a growing number of people are choosing the vegan or total vegetarian diet because of the potential to greatly reduce the risk of chronic diseases and mortality rates. Although this interest in plant-based eating is popular, there exist concerns on the safety of some vegetarian diets, especially a vegan diet. This book describes issues of the vegetarian diet and outlines ways to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Vegetarian Nutrition and Wellness focuses on synthesizing research around vegetarian diets and human health. A major section of the book deals with how a vegetarian diet protects population groups from the major chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and various cancers. Based upon ecological and clinical studies, chapter authors explain the health-promoting properties of plant-based diets with a vegetarian or vegan diet. Fruits and vegetables figure prominently in vegetarian diets and provide a substantial effect in disease reduction and health-promoting properties of a plant-based diet--back cover.