Why we avoid Animal Products: Science and Success Behind Bethsaida Hospitals Whole-Food Plant-Based Cardiac Program

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with atherosclerosis and restenosis as critical pathological contributors. Accumulating evidence suggests that diets high in animal products—including red meat, eggs, and dairy—are significant contributors to these conditions through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, Nitric Oxide (NO) depletion, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruption of the gut microbiota. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the molecular and physiological pathways by which animal-based diets contribute to vascular disease, while highlighting the protective and therapeutic potential of Whole Food Plant-Based Diets (WFPBDs). Central to this discussion is the pioneering implementation of WFPBD at Bethsaida Hospital in Tangerang, Indonesia—the first in the country to integrate WFPBD into standard cardiac care under the leadership of Prof. Dasaad Mulijono (DM). Clinical outcomes from Bethsaida demonstrate remarkable reversal or stabilization of hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), dyslipidaemia, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), including a strikingly low restenosis rate of 2% in patients undergoing Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) therapy. Bethsaida’s experience provides a compelling, real-world testament to the transformative power of nutritional intervention in cardiovascular medicine, underscoring the urgency of repositioning nutrition as a central therapeutic strategy.