Quitting Veganism

[Sojourner]

This is an interesting article that I came across that I would like to put up for discussion. I have often wondered about how Vegans cope with nutrients like these as opposed to Vegetarians, here is a cut and paste from the article. (if you do go across to the link be aware that it contains the f word that rhymes with firetruck at one point). 

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What made you realize that you needed to quit veganism?

I was so depressed I couldn’t laugh at funny things or smile anymore. I had always been depressed, but always able to at least smile.  This was a new low.

I discovered I was deficient in a multitude of different nutrients that are readily available in animal products. (b12, zinc, iron, magnesium, vit D, Retinol Vit A). I also found out I had hypothyroidism, and when I did some research I found the link between raw cruciferous vegetables and soy blocking thyroid function.  Protein and pre-formed Vitamin A from animal products are critical for thyroid health.  When you have a slow thyroid you cannot convert beta carotene into Retinol Vitamin A, the form you need for healthy thyroid function.

Before I was vegan I had ONE cavity. I developed eight new cavities in the first two years of being a vegan.

There’s a lot of myth about vegans getting all the protein and nutrients you require from plants. I ate spinach, watercress, spirulina, chlorella, E3 Live — all supposedly high protein sources for vegans.  But how can you possibly get enough fat soluble nutrients for your brain/glands when plants rarely contain fat soluble nutrients? Harvey Diamond, David Wolfe and Paul Bragg would like you to believe you can get everything you need from a raw food vegan diet, but try it out for 10 years and watch yourself turn into a neurotic, nervous, hyper sensitive and adrenally burnt-out mess. 

http://letthemeatmeat.com/post/441289060/interview-with-an-ex-vegan-kaleigh-mason 

[Johann]

I find this interesting because I have been a vegetarian for more than 81 years! Vegan just a few days in between. I have still sufficient B12. My exception is that I take cod liver oil daily for vitamin D and I suppose that Is why I have less arthrites than many people suffer from at my age.

[joeb]

It seems this person was not real knowledgeable about vegetarian cooking.  There are many sources of fat and protein available to even vegans.  Legumes of all types have a sufficient amount of protein and nuts of all types and avocados have both protein and good fats.  Plus, the use of good extra virgin olive oil drizzled over salads adds healthy fat to the diet too, as well as great flavor.  

 

I'm not a vegan.  I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian.  I've had regular blood work done for the last couple of years and there is no lack of anything in my blood work.   My doctors were quite surprised to find out I'm a vegetarian, especially the diabetes specialist as she thinks meat is a must. 

[Johann]

It seems this person was not real knowledgeable about vegetarian cooking.  There are many sources of fat and protein available to even vegans.  Legumes of all types have a sufficient amount of protein and nuts of all types and avocados have both protein and good fats.  Plus, the use of good extra virgin olive oil drizzled over salads adds healthy fat to the diet too, as well as great flavor.  

 

I'm not a vegan.  I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian.  I've had regular blood work done for the last couple of years and there is no lack of anything in my blood work.   My doctors were quite surprised to find out I'm a vegetarian, especially the diabetes specialist as she thinks meat is a must. 

Excellent, Joeb. Recently I indulged in a NUTRIBULLET and it is great. I use mostly frozen fruit because fresh fruit tend to spoil before i get to us it.

[LifeHiscost]

This is an interesting article that I came across that I would like to put up for discussion. I have often wondered about how Vegans cope with nutrients like these as opposed to Vegetarians, here is a cut and paste from the article. (if you do go across to the link be aware that it contains the f word that rhymes with firetruck at one point). 

------------------------------------------

 Harvey Diamond, David Wolfe and Paul Bragg would like you to believe you can get everything you need from a raw food vegan diet, but try it out for 10 years and watch yourself turn into a neurotic, nervous, hyper sensitive and adrenally burnt-out mess. 

http://letthemeatmeat.com/post/441289060/interview-with-an-ex-vegan-kaleigh-mason 

I've tried vegetarianism (no regular use of animal, fish or fowl products) for the most part of the last 50 years and have lived happily with a spouse for the last 36 years. During that period of time, my beloved spouse drank milk products like it was going out of style. All during that time together, she's coped with chronic disease but has recently sworn off animal products as well as eschewing all pharmaceuticals and sugar as a matter of principle. She is now in the best health she's been in all our married life together, including recuperation from a nasty fall in a rock garden about a year ago. All of this is primarily a result of trust in a merciful Father's promises.

 

There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. 26And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer." Exodus 15

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!

 

 

Other than the possibility of death being our next visitor, we look for many years more of health on this earth or hopefully Jesus coming, our first choice. 

[Lauralea]

I have been a vegan for 38 years. Raw food is something else again. Raw food (solely) plus juicing can lead to numerous nutrient deficiencies, and it sounds like what the person quoted was doing. Fruits vegetables whole grains nuts and seeds and legumes should all be included. Beans tofu or if desired protein shakes and even veggie burgers should be used daily by vegans for protein. Bread needs to be yeast raised in order for us to absorb zinc. A multi vitamin (without iron for most of us) would not hurt, and iodine may be obtained from a multi or from seaweed, or kelp tablets. Using plenty of fruits and vegetables like carrots and carrot juice,  sweet potatoes and mango will provide beta carotene, which the body can make into vitamin A. B12 is important to take as a supplement without iron for most of us, and women should take a calcium supplement- calcium citrate malate is best, but divided into small doses- say 400 mg 2x a day or 3x if at risk for osteoporosis. Vegans as well as non vegans may need to take vitamin D3 unless they live in a warm part of the country and are outside a lot without sunscreen and with arms and face exposed, which may not be a great idea due to UV exposure. 

[whbae]

Vegan developing many tooth decays?  It is a news to me.

 

Won Bae, D.D.S.