Vegans : some questions for you !!

[Monica]

I would think that vegans would really need to understand nutrition and what body needs, which means lots of research and time spent making sure that essential nutrients are consumed.

Yes, that is absolutely true! But then, it's true for meat-eaters too...just look at the epidemics of heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, etc. most of whom are meat-eaters.

Some meat eaters are healthy...most are not, being that 1 out of 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and most people eat meat.

Overall, vegans are healthier, statistically, for those major diseases, BUT have other challenges. While vegans have less cancer, heart disease, etc. their problems tend to be deficiency of a select few nutrients, usually caused by insufficient calories or too much junk food displacing healthier foods, and of course the most common issue is Vitamin B12.

Humans can synthesize B12 from the bacteria in dirt, just as other animals do. But, since we now wash our veggies, we must supplement B12.

(Incidentally, I read recently that the reason people get B12 from meat is from the bacteria in the meat. I haven't been able to verify if that's true though.)

Vegetarians who eat eggs and/or dairy don't have those issues, but excessive eggs and dairy can cause the same sorts of problems meat does.

Point being that, regardless of whether one eats animals or not, it's a good idea to get educated and eat as healthily as possible. Many vegans are unhealthy not because they're vegans, but for many of the same reasons many meat-eaters are unhealthy - too much junk food. Just being vegan doesn't guarantee health! I've met vegans who drank sodas and smoked cigarettes...

Eliminating meat eliminates one of the major risk factors.

This was a great video on vegans and heart disease - why there's a higher rate of heart disease in vegans

Higher than what? Do you mean higher than one would expect?

& what types of foods may protect us from heart disease. He looks at types of fats, omega-3, & B-12, which seemed to be lacking in vegan diets... no mention of protein tho.

Yes, both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can be deficient in both Omega-3s and B12.

It's late but I'll watch it tomorrow - thanks for the info!