In relation to CVD, elevated blood pressure has been shown to be positively associated with higher intakes of red and processed meat, even though the mechanism is unclear, except that possibly meat may substitute for other beneficial foods such as grains, fruits, or vegetables.32 Mean
plasma total
cholesterol, low - density lipoprotein
cholesterol, very - low - density lipoprotein
cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were found to be decreased in subjects who substituted red meat with fish.33, 34 Vegetarians have lower arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid levels and higher linoleate and antioxidant levels in platelet phospholipids; such a biochemical
profile may be related to decreased atherogenesis and thrombogenesis.34 - 36