High levels of homocysteine have been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Because of the design of the study, it is impossible to say whether the intake of folate and the vegan diet both contributed to the decrease in homocysteine level. It is also unclear how the other diet changes and stress management affected the participants' health. Previous research has already indicated that increasing the intake of folate decreases homocysteine levels. This study may suggest that a vegan diet also helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
More research is needed without so many lifestyle changes in all the participants at once.
In the recent trend of skyrocketing profits made by internet companies, few people seem to be concerned with whether or not those companies provide services that can actually help people. Students at the University of California at Berkeley's Haas School of Business are seeking to change all that. The students founded the Social Venture Business Plan Competition , which drew 66 entries from top business schools across the country. Applicants had to show plans for a web-based company that would provide clear benefits to society or the environment, as well as create a return for investors. Beart, who has Type 1 diabetes herself, hoped to merge charitable work and entrepreneurial work through her entry.