NIH Statement on Vegetarianism

_VoV · July 2012

Moderator's Note:

OK, I've removed (hopefully) all of the sound-and-fury signifying nothing.

Can we please keep this civil? Further warranted reports of crap appearing in this thread will probably result in it being locked permanently.

And PLEASE.. For the love of Pete PLEASE... before anyone starts shouting that the mods lock Veggie threads whenever the vegetarians are "winning," there's no "winning" in a mud-slinging contest. Everyone ends up coated in muck.

We lock the threads when they stop generating useful content and devolve into nastiness. Today, I took the time (over an HOUR) to clear this thread, warn those who needed warning, and open it up again. It would have been a FAR better use of my time to just leave it locked, but we TRY not to roll that way.

Now play nicely, or go outside.

The NIH is a conservative organization, which is giving its stamp of approval to plant-based and mostly plant-based diets. I am bringing this article to people's attention to dispel some of the health concerns about vegetarianism I have read here on these boards and elsewhere. Not only is the NIH saying vegetarian diets are not harmful, they are saying that such diets have benefits, like less heart disease and longer life expectancy. Good news for those of us already eating this way, and others who are considering it.

"Digging a Vegetarian Diet
Plant-Based Eating Can Reap Rewards

Vegetarians miss out on lots of foods. No grilled burgers or franks at picnics. No holiday turkey or fries cooked in animal fat. Strict vegetarians may even forego honey made by bees. But vegetarians also tend to miss out on major health problems that plague many Americans. They generally live longer than the rest of us, and they’re more likely to bypass heart-related and other ailments.

The fact is, eating a more plant-based diet can boost your health, whether you’re a vegetarian or not."..........

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Jul2012/Feature1

redhousecat · July 2012

I'm glad you posted this, especially with a link. Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

I think if vegetarians and vegans would stick with vegetables and limit their junk food and sugar intake, then this article would certainly apply. To advocate for the meat eaters, as long as the lean meat is eaten in moderation and conduct daily exercise, I feel meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians since meat offers a good bit of nutritional value.

Thing is, people are going to eat what they want, when they want, and how they want; regardless of scientific studies. Society is guided more by television than science.

Bunnybeesweet · July 2012

I disagree that vegetarians miss out on any of those foods! There are vegan versions of everything...that can even taste better if one takes the time to find/make them.

kayemme · July 2012

I'm glad you posted this, especially with a link. Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

I think if vegetarians and vegans would stick with vegetables and limit their junk food and sugar intake, then this article would certainly apply. To advocate for the meat eaters, as long as the lean meat is eaten in moderation and conduct daily exercise, I feel meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians since meat offers a good bit of nutritional value.

Thing is, people are going to eat what they want, when they want, and how they want; regardless of scientific studies. Society is guided more by television than science.

I agree with you on several points. The issue with meat is in the way it is raised and the level of consumption. It's no different than the "junk food vegetarian" because while it might provide some nutrition in a natural state, the meat people eat is not at all natural (in general).

And I eat meat occasionally. So I"m not hatin', just sayin'.

_VoV · July 2012

I disagree that vegetarians miss out on any of those foods! There are vegan versions of everything...that can even taste better if one takes the time to find/make them.

I totally agree. I don't feel deprived at all, and actually prefer many of the analogues to the 'real thing.'

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

I'm glad you posted this, especially with a link. Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

I think if vegetarians and vegans would stick with vegetables and limit their junk food and sugar intake, then this article would certainly apply. To advocate for the meat eaters, as long as the lean meat is eaten in moderation and conduct daily exercise, I feel meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians since meat offers a good bit of nutritional value.

Thing is, people are going to eat what they want, when they want, and how they want; regardless of scientific studies. Society is guided more by television than science.

Most vegetarians I know, including myself avoid meat for ethical reasons AND are not junk food vegetarians. This study considers the overall population of vegetarians and concludes that vegetarians are healthier and live longer. So any junk food vegetarians included in that study are obviously not affecting the overall result. Also if you "believe" that " as long as meat is eaten in moderation (whatever you mean by that), and conduct daily exercise, ... meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians" then prove it. Find a study that supports what you say and that quantifies the amount of meat you can eat without bad effects.

kayemme · July 2012

I can't be considered a vegetarian in a strict sense, but since my diet is more than 95% vegetarian and with very little junk food, I will say that I have no moral opposition to > eating < meat.

I do have a moral opposition to the way meat is > raised and treated < but I have that same moral opposition to the way vegetables are grown in a commercial setting.

So I do my best most of the time, and I'm working on making it 100% of the time.

Privately, I mentioned to VoV that I am suspicious of any study the government does because our gov't is so corrupt. If they said "eat meat" last week and say "eat vegetables" this week, I'd be curious as to who is stuffing their pockets and why.

_VoV · July 2012

Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

Sometimes vegetarians start with a single motivation (animal welfare, for instance), and with time, find that other reasons to be vegetarian start making sense to them. I became an ethical vegetarian nearly 40 years ago as a teenager, and like most teenagers, many of my food choices weren't good ones. This was especially true when I was at social occasions where everyone was indulging in fatty, sugary foods. With time, I educated myself about nutrition, and now eat mostly whole plant foods.

So, I would say that 'junk food' vegetarianism might be a short-term phase of new vegetarians trying to figure it all out. Many ethically-motivated vegetarians I know are also motivated to keep themselves in peak health.

_VoV · July 2012

I can't be considered a vegetarian in a strict sense, but since my diet is more than 95% vegetarian and with very little junk food, I will say that I have no moral opposition to > eating < meat.

I do have a moral opposition to the way meat is > raised and treated < but I have that same moral opposition to the way vegetables are grown in a commercial setting.

So I do my best most of the time, and I'm working on making it 100% of the time.

Privately, I mentioned to VoV that I am suspicious of any study the government does because our gov't is so corrupt. If they said "eat meat" last week and say "eat vegetables" this week, I'd be curious as to who is stuffing their pockets and why.

This NIH article does seem to depart greatly from past ones which were heavily influenced by meat and dairy industry lobbies. Government subsidies to farmers who grow fruits and vegetables for human consumption are practically nil, so I doubt they would have the money to influence the NIH position. What vested interest with deep pockets do you suspect?

Here's an article about farm subsidy reform: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fresh-fruit-hold-the-insulin

Damiilla · July 2012

Well, kudos to them! I'm so tired of the negative connotations associated with vegetarianism. I recently read an article that predicts that in the coming decade there will be more vegetarians than meat eaters. We can only hope!

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

I can't be considered a vegetarian in a strict sense, but since my diet is more than 95% vegetarian and with very little junk food, I will say that I have no moral opposition to > eating < meat.

I do have a moral opposition to the way meat is > raised and treated < but I have that same moral opposition to the way vegetables are grown in a commercial setting.

So I do my best most of the time, and I'm working on making it 100% of the time.

Privately, I mentioned to VoV that I am suspicious of any study the government does because our gov't is so corrupt. If they said "eat meat" last week and say "eat vegetables" this week, I'd be curious as to who is stuffing their pockets and why.

Good point. I am certainly not going to argue that our government is a caring nanny. They are, as you said, highly motivated by self interest.

Just a guess as to what may be happening. Last week I was in Iowa (Daughter attending Iowa Young Writers' Studio) and every day was at least 100 degrees. The folks in Iowa, whose huge corn crop goes to feed slaughter animals, were worried that the heat wave would ultimately destroy the corn crop. If that happens, and the government may think it a possibility that it will, then they would be warning you to start thinking vegetarian now.

Bobby_Clerici · July 2012

I rode the steel stallion for the first time [colonoscopy] to check out some inflammation back when I was fat, and it was all due to diet - not enough fiber - too much meat.
No, I am no vegan or whatever - I LOVE MEAT, but too much not balanced with fruits and veggies caused some big issues.
That being said, I am grilling turkey wings to enjoy - along with a huge salad and some fabulous fresh fruit :drinker:

stephvaile · July 2012

I can't be considered a vegetarian in a strict sense, but since my diet is more than 95% vegetarian and with very little junk food, I will say that I have no moral opposition to > eating < meat.

I do have a moral opposition to the way meat is > raised and treated < but I have that same moral opposition to the way vegetables are grown in a commercial setting.

So I do my best most of the time, and I'm working on making it 100% of the time.

Privately, I mentioned to VoV that I am suspicious of any study the government does because our gov't is so corrupt. If they said "eat meat" last week and say "eat vegetables" this week, I'd be curious as to who is stuffing their pockets and why.

Good point. I am certainly not going to argue that our government is a caring nanny. They are, as you said, highly motivated by self interest.

Just a guess as to what may be happening. Last week I was in Iowa (Daughter attending Iowa Young Writers' Studio) and every day was at least 100 degrees. The folks in Iowa, whose huge corn crop goes to feed slaughter animals, were worried that the heat wave would ultimately destroy the corn crop. If that happens, and the government may think it a possibility that it will, then they would be warning you to start thinking vegetarian now.

ihave been a vegetarian for 28 years i have had no health problems relating to my diet at all as long as you replace your proteins and iron rich foods and eat healthy and varied there should be no reason why it should cause health concerns and by vegetarian i mean no meat fish or poultry

_VoV · July 2012

I rode the steel stallion for the first time [colonoscopy] to check out some inflammation back when I was fat, and it was all due to diet - not enough fiber - too much meat.
No, I am no vegan or whatever - I LOVE MEAT, but too much not balanced with fruits and veggies caused some big issues.
That being said, I am grilling turkey wings to enjoy - along with a huge salad and some fabulous fresh fruit :drinker:

So glad that you found a meat-reduced diet that works for you. To your health!! :drinker:

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

Eating meat is causing global warming:

Eat less meat to prevent climate disaster, study warnsFertilisers used in growing feed crops for cattle produce the most potent of the greenhouse gases causing climate change

Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent
guardian.co.uk,

Friday 13 April 2012 07.56 EDT

Eating less meat will help environment, a new study says.

Meat eaters in developed countries will have to eat a lot less meat, cutting consumption by 50%, to avoid the worst consequences of future climate change, new research warns.

The fertilisers used in farming are responsible for a significant share of the warming that causes climate change.

A study published in Environmental Research Letters warns that drastic changes in food production and at the dinner table are needed by 2050 in order to prevent catastrophic global warming.

It's arguably the most difficult challenge in dealing with climate change: how to reduce emissions from food production while still producing enough to feed a global population projected to reach 9 billion by the middle of this century.

The findings, by Eric Davidson, director of the Woods Hole Research Centre in Massachusetts, say the developed world will have to cut fertiliser use by 50% and persuade consumers in the developed world to stop eating so much meat.

Davidson concedes it's a hard sell. Meat is a regular part of the diet in the developed world. In developing economies, such as China and India, meat consumption has risen along with prosperity.

"I think there are huge challenges in convincing people in the west to reduce portion sizes or the frequency of eating meat. That is part of our culture right now," he said.

Researchers have been paying closer attention in the past few years to the impact of agriculture on climate change, and the parallel problem of growing enough food for an expanding population. Some scientists are at work growing artificial meat which would avoid the fertilisers and manure responsible for climate change.

Nitrous oxide, released by fertilisers and animal manure, is the most potent of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The UN's climate body has called for deep cuts to those emissions.

Growing feed crops, for cattle and pigs, produces more of those emissions than crops that go directly into the human food chain. Eating less meat would reduce demand for fertiliser as well as reduce the amount of manure produced.

Davidson also suggests changes in current farming practice – such as growing winter ground cover crops – would help absorb nitrogen and prevent its release into the atmosphere.

In reaching his conclusion, Davidson draws on figures from the Food and Agricultural Organisation suggesting the world population will reach 8.9 billion by 2050, and that daily per capita calorie intake will also rise to 3130 calories.

Meat consumption is also projected to increase sharply to 89kg per person a year in rich countries and 37kg per person a year in the developing world.

Such a trajectory would put the world on course to more severe consequences of climate change.

Davidson is not suggesting people give up meat entirely. "The solution isn't that everyone needs to become a vegetarian or a vegan. Simply reducing portion sizes and frequency would go a long way," he said. So would switching from beef and pork, which have a high carbon foot print, to chicken or fish.

redhousecat · July 2012

I'm glad you posted this, especially with a link. Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

I think if vegetarians and vegans would stick with vegetables and limit their junk food and sugar intake, then this article would certainly apply. To advocate for the meat eaters, as long as the lean meat is eaten in moderation and conduct daily exercise, I feel meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians since meat offers a good bit of nutritional value.

Thing is, people are going to eat what they want, when they want, and how they want; regardless of scientific studies. Society is guided more by television than science.

Most vegetarians I know, including myself avoid meat for ethical reasons AND are not junk food vegetarians. This study considers the overall population of vegetarians and concludes that vegetarians are healthier and live longer. So any junk food vegetarians included in that study are obviously not affecting the overall result. Also if you "believe" that " as long as meat is eaten in moderation (whatever you mean by that), and conduct daily exercise, ... meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians" then prove it. Find a study that supports what you say and that quantifies the amount of meat you can eat without bad effects.

with all due respect, No thanks. I don't feel I have to prove anything to someone I don't know or care to know. It was strictly my opinion based on my personal experiences. Nothing more.

_Thanatos_ · July 2012

Cutting out all meat doesn't magically make you healthy. You still have to watch for the junk food that doesn't contain meat. Same as me. I am a human being, therefore I am omnivore. So I also cut out certain types of unhealthy meats and opt for the more lean versions like chicken, turkey or lamb. It's also about moderation and control. Nothing more.

Eating meat is causing global warming:

Eat less meat to prevent climate disaster, study warnsFertilisers used in growing feed crops for cattle produce the most potent of the greenhouse gases causing climate change

Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent
guardian.co.uk,

Friday 13 April 2012 07.56 EDT

Eating less meat will help environment, a new study says.

Meat eaters in developed countries will have to eat a lot less meat, cutting consumption by 50%, to avoid the worst consequences of future climate change, new research warns.

The fertilisers used in farming are responsible for a significant share of the warming that causes climate change.

A study published in Environmental Research Letters warns that drastic changes in food production and at the dinner table are needed by 2050 in order to prevent catastrophic global warming.

It's arguably the most difficult challenge in dealing with climate change: how to reduce emissions from food production while still producing enough to feed a global population projected to reach 9 billion by the middle of this century.

The findings, by Eric Davidson, director of the Woods Hole Research Centre in Massachusetts, say the developed world will have to cut fertiliser use by 50% and persuade consumers in the developed world to stop eating so much meat.

Davidson concedes it's a hard sell. Meat is a regular part of the diet in the developed world. In developing economies, such as China and India, meat consumption has risen along with prosperity.

"I think there are huge challenges in convincing people in the west to reduce portion sizes or the frequency of eating meat. That is part of our culture right now," he said.

Researchers have been paying closer attention in the past few years to the impact of agriculture on climate change, and the parallel problem of growing enough food for an expanding population. Some scientists are at work growing artificial meat which would avoid the fertilisers and manure responsible for climate change.

Nitrous oxide, released by fertilisers and animal manure, is the most potent of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The UN's climate body has called for deep cuts to those emissions.

Growing feed crops, for cattle and pigs, produces more of those emissions than crops that go directly into the human food chain. Eating less meat would reduce demand for fertiliser as well as reduce the amount of manure produced.

Davidson also suggests changes in current farming practice – such as growing winter ground cover crops – would help absorb nitrogen and prevent its release into the atmosphere.

In reaching his conclusion, Davidson draws on figures from the Food and Agricultural Organisation suggesting the world population will reach 8.9 billion by 2050, and that daily per capita calorie intake will also rise to 3130 calories.

Meat consumption is also projected to increase sharply to 89kg per person a year in rich countries and 37kg per person a year in the developing world.

Such a trajectory would put the world on course to more severe consequences of climate change.

Davidson is not suggesting people give up meat entirely. "The solution isn't that everyone needs to become a vegetarian or a vegan. Simply reducing portion sizes and frequency would go a long way," he said. So would switching from beef and pork, which have a high carbon foot print, to chicken or fish.

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

I'm glad you posted this, especially with a link. Unfortunately, most vegetarians I know avoid meat for ethical reasons, resulting in eating worse than I ever would. My bff is vegetarian and the food she eats would make me sick as a dog. All junk.

I think if vegetarians and vegans would stick with vegetables and limit their junk food and sugar intake, then this article would certainly apply. To advocate for the meat eaters, as long as the lean meat is eaten in moderation and conduct daily exercise, I feel meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians since meat offers a good bit of nutritional value.

Thing is, people are going to eat what they want, when they want, and how they want; regardless of scientific studies. Society is guided more by television than science.

Most vegetarians I know, including myself avoid meat for ethical reasons AND are not junk food vegetarians. This study considers the overall population of vegetarians and concludes that vegetarians are healthier and live longer. So any junk food vegetarians included in that study are obviously not affecting the overall result. Also if you "believe" that " as long as meat is eaten in moderation (whatever you mean by that), and conduct daily exercise, ... meat eaters can live just as long as vegetarians" then prove it. Find a study that supports what you say and that quantifies the amount of meat you can eat without bad effects.

with all due respect, No thanks. I don't feel I have to prove anything to someone I don't know or care to know. It was strictly my opinion based on my personal experiences. Nothing more.

Fair enough. Your opinion, and my opinion are worth the same. Nothing. Only facts matter.

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

"Cutting out all meat doesn't magically make you healthy. You still have to watch for the junk food that doesn't contain meat. Same as me. I am a human being, therefore I am omnivore. So I also cut out certain types of unhealthy meats and opt for the more lean versions like chicken, turkey or lamb. It's also about moderation and control. Nothing more."

Nothing makes you "magically" healthy. However, you have a better chance of being healthy and living longer if you are vegetarian.

redhousecat · July 2012

Funny thing is, one can google a scientific journal article on how unhealthy meat is, then turn around and find another scientific journal article on its health benefits. SAme with raw milk v pasteurized.

"Ethical" eating is one thing. Healthy eating is another. I shall state again: most people will eat what they want, when they want, how they want, despite any scientific renderings. Hail to those who are strictly healthy vegans/vegetarians. Hail to the others who like to add a little animal protein to their diet. You just have to pick WHICH scientific study you want to follow and be happy with that!

stephvaile · July 2012

my reasons for being vegatarian are my own personal choice every one as a choice , i don,t believe one diet is better than the other if both are choosing the healthier options , there are people who think they can eat vegetarian and be healthy but consume large amounts of full fat cheese , don,t eat enough veggies and fruit and yes they become ill and unhealthy but it is the same for meat eaters too much red meat fatty meat pastrys burgers all what i consider crap meat both choices can be crap or they can be healthy its up to the individual to make the correct choices for his/her diet of choice :drinker: :drinker:

redhousecat · July 2012

Nothing makes you "magically" healthy. However, you have a better chance of being healthy and living longer if you are vegetarian.

maybe "healthy" vegetarian would be a better phrase. In my opinion, donuts and french fries can kill a person just as fast as that slice of turkey.

katemme · July 2012

Do you still take medications that have been tested on animals or wear animal products? Honest question. It seems like that would go hand in hand with the lifestyle.

I don't eat much meat anyway, but I won't restrict myself. Besides, why eat a fake version of a meat product that is loaded with soy? As long as the meat you are eating is lean cut, it probably has more nutritional value.

And I am opposed to the way most cows and poultry are treated. I like to get organically raised animal products, since they are healthy than regular ones, and better for the environment.

I heard one vegan argue about that statement, because you know, animals have to die, and in their eyes it makes no difference. But as a vegan do you prefer organic or regularly grown produce?

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

Nothing makes you "magically" healthy. However, you have a better chance of being healthy and living longer if you are vegetarian.

maybe "healthy" vegetarian would be a better phrase. In my opinion, donuts and french fries can kill a person just as fast as that slice of turkey.

I agree.

Damiilla · July 2012

Personally, I know nobody that doesn't like to 'pig' out every once in a while. However, all of my friends that eat meat frequently eat fast food, carry serious illness (my father, for example, has had colon cancer twice and still won't give up his atkins diet) and just generally tend to binge more than my vegetarian/vegan friends. Just personal observation, but visible enough to notice.

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

Do you still take medications that have been tested on animals or wear animal products? Honest question. It seems like that would go hand in hand with the lifestyle.

I don't eat much meat anyway, but I won't restrict myself. Besides, why eat a fake version of a meat product that is loaded with soy? As long as the meat you are eating is lean cut, it probably has more nutritional value.

And I am opposed to the way most cows and poultry are treated. I like to get organically raised animal products, since they are healthy than regular ones, and better for the environment.

I heard one vegan argue about that statement, because you know, animals have to die, and in their eyes it makes no difference. But as a vegan do you prefer organic or regularly grown produce?

I buy vegan shoes and belts. The only medicine I take normally is aspirin, advil (when I overdo a work out), and vitamins all of which to the best of my knowledge are vegan.

Organic - always.

_VoV · July 2012

Do you still take medications that have been tested on animals or wear animal products? Honest question. It seems like that would go hand in hand with the lifestyle.

I don't eat much meat anyway, but I won't restrict myself. Besides, why eat a fake version of a meat product that is loaded with soy? As long as the meat you are eating is lean cut, it probably has more nutritional value.

And I am opposed to the way most cows and poultry are treated. I like to get organically raised animal products, since they are healthy than regular ones, and better for the environment.

I heard one vegan argue about that statement, because you know, animals have to die, and in their eyes it makes no difference. But as a vegan do you prefer organic or regularly grown produce?

I prefer buying produce that is grown organically, locally and is in season. Cost and availability also factor into my purchasing decisions, so I'm not perfect.

As for my other purchasing decisions: I buy mostly produce and food in bulk bins using my own containers. I try to avoid packaging as much as possible. All my clothes and shoes are made of fabrics not derived from animals. I try to buy products which biograde naturally--cotton, canvas, jute, etc. Pharmaceuticals are more difficult, but I try to avoid needing to take any by living as healthfully as I can.

Killing_Perfection · July 2012

There are plenty of articles out there that vegetarians live longer, and there are probably just as much that say they don't. To quote one I just found by googling randomly:

"[...]

There is no proof that a healthy vegetarian diet when compared to a healthy omnivorous diet will result in a longer life. Additionally, people who choose a vegetarian lifestyle typically also choose not to smoke, to exercise, in short, to live a healthier lifestyle. These things also factor into one's longevity.

[....]

Despite claims that studies have shown that meat consumption increased the risk for heart disease and shortened lives, the authors of those studies actually found the opposite. For example, in a 1984 analysis of a 1978 study of vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists, HA Kahn concluded,

Although our results add some substantial facts to the diet-disease question, we recognize how remote they are from establishing, for example, that men who frequently eat meat or women who rarely eat salad are thereby shortening their lives.

[....]"

See: http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/myth-vegetarians-live-longer-and-have-more-energy-and-endurance#

Personally, I agree that not eating meat won't make you live any longer or shorter - what matters is healthy living. And that can be done with meat or without. Thing is, as mentioned above, vegetarians obviously have to pay more attention to food because of their choice to live without meat - it's a lot easier to go from there and adopt a healthy style of living.

stephvaile · July 2012

Personally, I know nobody that doesn't like to 'pig' out every once in a while. However, all of my friends that eat meat frequently eat fast food, carry serious illness (my father, for example, has had colon cancer twice and still won't give up his atkins diet) and just generally tend to binge more than my vegetarian/vegan friends. Just personal observation, but visible enough to notice.

again i think u are wrong y are u 35lbs overweight if you don,t binge as much as a meateater , i can eat rubbish for england if i want to flapjacks pizza as well as my healthy food that is y i,m overweight live and let live both diets can see people living to a ripe old age if they are both healthy less saturated fat more good heart fats less salt more fruit and veggies people should not put their personal views onto others

dittmarml · July 2012

Thank you so much for posting this, and the link. Like many vegetarians/vegans (I'm the latter) we hear so much negative misinformation about this way of eating. Good to see NIH is catching up...but then again, many studies they've funded over the past 10 years are all pointing to the same conclusions (see Dr. Neal Barnard's work, for one). There's something to be said for investing your money - makes you pay attention to outcomes.

I'm going to keep this link and send it out whenever I'm hit again with "but you won't get enough protein, and you KNOW you need to add healthy fats...") - I switched to this way of eating for health reasons and can't say enough good things about it. The numbers are what convinced me - and the numbers are what's convincing NIH - and maybe, eventually, more people will take the time and set aside their misperceptions and actually look at the data. I'm so glad to see this!

As an extra added bonus, my 89-year old mother - who lives in a retirement home/nursing home - was so intrigued that I sent her some books - she read them - and just went to the home (Twin Towers in Cincinnati) and requested a vegan diet!! Better still, the nutritionist just called me yesterday and we spent 1/2 hour on the phone - not only are they going to address my mother's wish (along with monitoring her protein stores, because she has wound healing problems) but the nutritionist was so intrigued by the request and the research she just wanted to know what I do, why, and what the results are. I offered to send her copies of my last two years of blood work - and she's going to track my mother's and share that with me (with Mom's permission, of course.)

Thanks again.

VegesaurusRex · July 2012

There are plenty of articles out there that vegetarians live longer, and there are probably just as much that say they don't. To quote one I just found by googling randomly:

"[...]

There is no proof that a healthy vegetarian diet when compared to a healthy omnivorous diet will result in a longer life. Additionally, people who choose a vegetarian lifestyle typically also choose not to smoke, to exercise, in short, to live a healthier lifestyle. These things also factor into one's longevity.

[....]

Despite claims that studies have shown that meat consumption increased the risk for heart disease and shortened lives, the authors of those studies actually found the opposite. For example, in a 1984 analysis of a 1978 study of vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists, HA Kahn concluded,

Although our results add some substantial facts to the diet-disease question, we recognize how remote they are from establishing, for example, that men who frequently eat meat or women who rarely eat salad are thereby shortening their lives.

[....]"

See: http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/myth-vegetarians-live-longer-and-have-more-energy-and-endurance#

Personally, I agree that not eating meat won't make you live any longer or shorter - what matters is healthy living. And that can be done with meat or without. Thing is, as mentioned above, vegetarians obviously have to pay more attention to food because of their choice to live without meat - it's a lot easier to go from there and adopt a healthy style of living.

Okay, then why is the NIH promoting vegetarianism. And yes, there are several studies (mostly done on Lappland and Inuit populations) that show eating meat is just fine. However, for every one of those, there are probably 99 saying the opposite. You cannot argue with the fact that STATISTICALLY vegetarians live longer and healthier. The studies that point out that vegetarians smoke less and make better lifestyle choices also show that vegetarians are smarter, wealthier and and more educated. You can read anything into that that you want.

NIH Statement on Vegetarianism

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