Vegetarian diets, if properly executed, can be healthy and in fact protect against chronic diseases in infants and elderly alike, researches have said.

The recommendations have come from the American Dietetic Association, which has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that appears in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. It specifies that some of the conditions that can be prevented include heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

“[A]ppropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases,” the paper states.

“[They are] appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes,” it adds.

It also says vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals, which may explain their health benefits.

Those who would like to lower their risk of heart disease and other conditions can also turn to nutritional supplements that contain cholesterol-fighting compounds such as niacin, omega-3 fatty acids or red yeast rice extract.