General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Red meat plays vital role in diets, claims expert in fightback against veganism [View all]Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)I have read some detailed and unbiased studies that do point out the benefits of a vegan-style diet by way of evidence.
On the other hand, those same studies point out nutrition-related problems that crop up with long-term vegan diets that seem to indicate that there are some nutrients not readily available in those foods alone. We are talking no meat, chicken, fish, dairy, cheese, eggs, etc.
I have warned a vegan friend, (who has had a short-term improvement in health) about that because the deficiencies are spelled out and do require supplementation, plus you really can't eat a "mono diet" as a vegan; it requires a broader sampling of foods in order to makeup for the losses and variety is essential. The danger is that the malnutrition can take several years to begin to show effects that, in turn, may be subtle at first. So, it is a tit for a tat in that case.
My sense of it, (having been a vegetarian for a decade way back when) is that we are most likely omnivores as per our teeth an digestive systems and that is what humans have been accustomed to in our evolution. However, moderation and variety are a part of that and meat/dairy heavy diets may contribute to the rate of chronic illness, which is NOT natural. Many doctors are now realizing the impact of food on long-term diseases and stressing changes in diet for that reason.