alcyone
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Before I piss off the people I admire most on this site, I want to make clear that I am in no way advocating you change your choices. I am dealing with the above quote based on the arguements presented, that meat shortens life expentacy, and eating it in order to be healthy is a complete falacy.
My intent is to provide evidence to the contrary to the statements, not that a vegetarian diet is inferior to an omnivorious diet.
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All proteins are combinations of 22 amino acids. Eight of these acids are called ‘essential’ for humans due to the fact that our bodies cannot manufacture them. Now, when all of these essential acids are present in our diets the body can synthesize the rest of the non-essential nutrients, but if the bodies supplies are low or depleted, synthesizing of those other proteins ceases…..Even if overall protein intake is high.
When protein is lacking in the diet, it leads to an acid or alkaline imbalance in the blood and tissue. This imbalance is often found in vegetarian diets. Animal meat is our only source for COMPLETE proteins. As in, you can get the proteins you need from a vegetarian diet, however you need to eat a wide variety, and a LOT of veggies to get the same benefit as say, a serving of liver of beef.
As for Dr. Weston Price studies ‘primitive’ peoples, Price found that the groups who diets consisted mainly of grains and legumes were in fact far healthier than civilized moderns BUT they had more incidences of caries (dental decay) than those living primarily on meat and fish. Skulls of prehistoric people subsisting mainly on grains and legumes also show lots of evidence of abscesses, tuberculosis, and bone problems as well. (Journal of Applied Nutrition, 1980, 32:2:70-71)
A more recent study by Dr. Emmanuel Cheraskin observed 1040 dentists and their wives. (Cheraskin, E, et al, Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 1978, 7:150-155) Since these are people who KNOW how to take care of their own teeth, I think any stipulation of ‘they don’t know any better’ can’t hold water. Anyhow, those who had to fewest issues were also the ones who ate the most protein in their diets (as measured by the CMI)
Furthermore, inadequate protein intake leads to loss of the myocardial muscle and may contribute to coronary heart disease. (Webb, J G, et al, Canadian Medical Association Journal, Oct 1, 1986 135:7:753-8)
Additionally, protein cannot be properly utilized without dietary fats. This is why fat and protein occur together in eggs, milk, fish and meat. A high protein low, fat diet (atkins anyone?) can cause too rapid growth in adolescents and the depletion of the bodies vitamin A and D reserves.
As for the claim that meat shortens life spans; I beg you to look up the Russians from the Caucasus Mountains who consume lots of fatty meat and whole milk products. Studies of Soviet Georgian populations have shown that those who eat the most meat also have the longest life spans. (Pitskhelauri, G Z, MD, The longest Living of Soviet Georgia, 1982, Human Sciences Press, New York, NY) Same was shown for the inhabitants of Vilacabama in Equador who eat a variety of animal food as well as whole milk and fatty pork or the people of Hunza who eat protein in the form of high-fat goat milk products. On the other side of the world, the vegetarian dieters of southern India have one of the shortest life spans in the world (Abrams, H Leon, Journal of Applies Nutrition, 1980, 32:2:70-71).
Not only is it difficult to replace all the necessary proteins in a mostly vegetarian diet, but several important minerals are lacking as well. Mainly due to the catalysts present in the fat-soluble proteins. Additionally, phylates found in improperly processed grains blocks absorption of calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium. Zinc, Iron, calcium and mineral from animal sources are far easier for the body to absorb.
B 12- Diseases resulting from a depletion of B12 include pernicious anemia, impaired eyesight, panic attacks, schizophrenia, hallucinations and nervous disorders. B12 deficiencies have been found in the breast-fed infants of strictly vegetarian mothers (Nutrition Reviews,1979, 37:142-144)
While your studies are going to show that the SAD is indeed unhealthy, it is not because eating meat is unhealthy. It is due to other factors. The intake of sugar, processed food, saturated fat, the lack of nutrients in processed food, Preservatives, additives, fructose, fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture. The SAD is a generalization of what Americans are eating today, not what they SHOULD be eating. There is a big difference in the two.
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