As they get older, do vegetarians/vegans have any health benefits over meat-eaters?

Question

I've heard that vegans are usually weaker than meat-eaters, but are healthier and at significantly lower risk of developing heart disease. Do vegans have higher risk of joint problems? Any other health details you can tell me?

Answer 1

Vegans/Vegetarians are no weaker than meat eaters AS LONG AS THEY DO IT RIGHT. People say they're weaker for many reasons, but this is the reason I've found to be the most common -



A lot of meat eaters will 'try' a vegetarian/vegan diet for a few days. Thing is, most people who eat meat haven't a clue how to eat a balanced diet as a vegetarian, and just eat salads, bread, and french fries, while completely ignoring common vegetarian protein staples (tofu, tempeh, seitan beans, nuts, whole grains, legumes). What many people fail to do is balance and combine their proteins correctly, and they're left feeling weak and tired. By the end, they think 'There's no possible way vegetarians and vegans can get enough protein and be healthy'. I've seen this happen a lot.



Vegans don't have higher risk of joint problems, as long as they get their calcium. Today, there is a mass misconception about how to get calcium, mainly caused by the mass advertising campaign put out their by the factory dairy industry. Thing is, milk is NOT the only way. Green, leafy vegetables (the darker the better) are packed full of calcium, as well as many whole grains (a cup of quinoa has more calcium than a whole quart of milk). Many fruits and veggies contain even small amounts of calcium, as well as other beneficial vitamins and minerals, so if you eat a lot of them (with at least special attention to eat the leafy greens at least once a day) you'll be fine and have stronger bones than most meat eaters.



And yes, vegetarians and vegans have a significantly lower risk of heart disease. Americans today eat more meat than any other developed nations, and that is wracking havoc on our bodies. Red meat is especially artery clogging, especially with the way it is produced in America (cows are fed corn instead of grass, and they become fatter, so the meat is 'marbled' with fat that is terrible for us). Most people ignore the recommendation that we're not supposed to eat red meat more than once a week. Meat CAN be a part of a healthy and rounded diet, as long as it's hormone free, unprocessed, and organic, and we mind the portion sizes and be sure to eat our whole grains and veggies.

Answer 2

Don't listen to the guy above me....vegan is the healthiest life style you adopt. Animal Fats are bad for you and can cause heart desease. Humans are not designed to eat animals. You just have too really make sure you get enough protein from other sources. Like Soy, Nuts, Seeds, Beans, Cheese (if your not vegan). It's not an easy thing to do but nothing worth doing is ever easy. IF you stop eating meat for a month i promise you will start to lose a taste for it. You feel more energetic adn your ksin and hair will look better as long as you are getting all your nutrients. I'm not perfect by all means but i have cut out red meat completely for the past 10 years. You should just faze it out...start with red meat, then chicken and turkey,....then decide if you want to go vegan. Also make sure you are getting enough Omega Fatty Acids.

Answer 3

Vegans are not weaker than meat eaters and that is the most annoying statement ever made. I am stronger now than I was when I was a meat eater and my endurance is greater too - and I don't even train.



Absolutely there is health benefits to being veg*n rather than being a meat eater - but the meat and dairy industry is protected by vicious pit bulls so the word is having a hard time getting out. Cancer feeds on animal protein at a rate of 75% higher than it does on plant protein (read The China Study). Heart disease is incredibly lower in veggies than in one who eats a Western Diet. Obesity is significantly lower in veggies than in meat eaters and obesity is the "cause" of most diseases. Its quite obvious to me but I have spent 500+ hours educating myself on food and most people don't bother.

Answer 4

Vegans and vegetarians are not weaker then omnivores, and if you 'heard' that then it was from people who don't have the first idea what they're talking about. Certainly they haven't done any research on the subject.



Veg*ns (that's a short way to say vegetarians and/or vegans) have lower incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes type 2, some forms of cancer, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. We also have a lower risk of osteoperosis.



As for negatives I am not aware of any, provided, of course, that the person has eaten a good vegetarian diet, not one full of junk food and processed things.

Answer 5

Here is an interesting read about how Vegans have lighter bone denesity but do not suffer from the usual fractures expected.

Answer 6

A key benefit for a veg'n man is a lower chance of prostate cancer and erectile dis-function. Typically veg'ns don't have joint or arthritis problems as long as they exercise. Activity is the true key to bone health. We get plenty of calcium from greens, nuts, etc.

Answer 7

Well, considering you can cure and prevent a large number of diseases through diet (cutting out meat and dairy) I would have to say yes- we have a lot of health benefits as veg*ns :)

Answer 8

I personally do no choose not to eat meat, i can't> i have Chron's and i am one of the "lucky" ones that can't eat meat, dairy. So i do take muti vitamins and calsum .