Question: What are the positives and negatives of a vegetarian lifestyle?
Answer: We must respect other’s diet choices, because ultimately they are responsible for their health. My view is that we are different as individuals, and our nutritional needs and beliefs will also differ. Often diet customs have a teleological foundation and merit. The vegetarian diet has its roots of origin in historical social customs. It is time tested, modified, and adapted to meet the nutritional needs of the people living in particular environments. Its evolution represents a refinement in the nutritional knowledge of what foods work to benefit the health of the group members. Clear examples of this natural process having been perverted are:
1. The Pottenger’s Effect resulting from the “White Man’s” foods introduced
to certain Native American tribes retained on reservations. Tragically, this
resulted in what has become an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and kidney
disease for these people.
2. “SAD” (Standard American Diet) that introduced new pharmacologically
active chemicals. Through processing, preservation, and improved efficiency
much of the nutrient value of our foods has been removed. We are burdened by
the adverse health affects of those perversions. Unfortunately, in both these examples, the food customs have become engrained in these societies. In general, vegetarianism is a MUCH less perverted diet custom. (It’s inescapable perversion is that which is shared by almost all foods available now–MANMADE CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION OF THE FOOD CHAIN AT ALL LEVELS.)
When adhered to with proper tradition and good knowledge it is superior for vegetarian’s orthomolecular nutritional needs. My opinion is that vegetarianism in our modern age requires one to be more selective and disciplined in one’s diet choices. This attitude of discipline reinforces other positive lifestyle choices by association. A vegetarian is more likely to be concerned about and carefully consider what he/she is putting into their body and what impact it will have. This results in better health outcomes. Vegetarians are less likely to become obese. Obesity is quickly becoming a major risk factor in most life-limiting diseases. It is well documented that vegetarianism lessens one’s risk for having hypertension and heart disease. An extensive research study showed that vegetarians live, on average, 10 years longer than meat eaters.
From a negative view, adequate nutrition for a vegetarian requires more nutritional knowledge not always possessed by all. This makes the uninformed vegetarian more vulnerable to some deficiencies such as B-12. A deficiency in B-12 however, is rare in individuals who have no difficulty storing B-12 and it can take up to five years to develop a deficiency in these individuals. It also requires more effort in discrimination for food choices and locations to eat that provide their preferences. Also, since vegetarians are in a minority in our society, there are subtle social pressures on them to deviate from their healthy customs. In a neutral view, regardless of what food strategies we employ, we are all becoming more nutritionally challenged. There is increasing food chain contamination, perversion, and depletion in both animal and vegetable sources.
There is no safe haven from “The Insect”, only an “Empty Garden” in Elton
John’s “Johnny come out to play”.
James A. Ferrel MD
If the doctor could answer a question, … recently a co-worker has changed her diet to vegetarian in order to prevent mosquito bites for an upcoming school camping trip. I doubted her tactics…can you tell me any scientific facts in this area? Do vegetarians/vegans get bitten less than meat-eaters? Thank-you for you time, Kim
kim zeitler
Dr. Ferrel Response
Good question. I know of no studies that support this idea. It would make a good science project to design and do one. Respiratory CO2 signals attract mosquitos to their food source. Theoretically, meat eaters might send more CO2 (carbon dioxide) signals in their respiration than non-meat eater. Meat metabolism leaves a metabolic acid ash vs. the alkaline ash of a veggie diet. Acidosis requires more neutralization by our carbolic acid buffering system thus producing more CO2 in the respiration of meat eaters that attract the mosquitos. Also certain plant chemicals are known to be natural insect repellents, If the respired air of vegie eaters contain more of these natural food chemicals, it could also make a difference. This might explain why ruminant mammals like cows don’t contract mosquito borne infections like the non-ruminant animals like horses that consume the same food. Similarly, natural food chemicals can be used topically to discourage bites. They need to be applied more often, but I would have less reservation to use them than any man-made chemical, such as DEET. Your co-workers diet choice is a excellent one, regardless of her intent. An informed commitment to a veggie/Vegan diet is one of the best health choices she can make.
James A. Ferrel M.D, CNC
Author: James A. Ferrel MD, CNC
Dr. James A. Ferrel MD, CNC is a retired physician who specialized in environmental medicine. He is the author of Neogenesis - Reconstructing the Self.
