i am not finding the research to support what you're saying about vegans. you appear to be relying on your own anecdotal information and not more scholarly research. what i can find shows that vegans are more healthy in some research studies and i also found a big meta analysis showing that vegans and vegetarians were no less healthy than folks who ate meat (not entirely accurate, but that's the gist and it does barely touch on vegans: <a href="http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/70/3/516S">link to abstract</a>. the American Dietetic Association notes that a poorly planned vegan diet can miss important nutrients and that's what you seem to be noting now, but i know of folks who aren't vegans who plan poor diets so veganism isn't the root of that. if anything, a person who is a vegan is going to be more aware of his or her diet. i wish i could do it. i just avoid dairy right now. but i love me some good seared tuna or a big juicy steak. <br><br>--<br>[color:red] Kansas Jayhawks -- 2008 National Champions </font color=red>

exactly ...if you actually pay attention to what you eat there is no downside to being a vegan/vegetarian. If you just eat lettuce and celery ...yea ..you are gonna have problems. Then again, eat nothing but hot dogs, chicken mcnuggets, etc and see how long you live. <br><br>zweisoft<br>

Yes, my info is anecdotal in that it's not something I read but something I know to be a fact with at least some individuals who were lifetime vegans. I knew these folks for 25 years and watched their downward slide in health. By the time they were in their late 40's and early 50's they spent more time off work than they were there. No, it wasn't heart problems or cancer but rather plain ordinary diseases like the common cold that they didn't seem to be able to handle anymore. While they looked fine in their younger years they sure looked like death warmed over later on. It was pretty weird sitting around the coffee table listening to that group discussing their B12 shots. The only answer I have is perhaps Indian food makes a lousy vegan diet.<br><br>

Marg,<br><br>Not trying to be contentious here, but we can't blame Steve's healthy diet on his getting cancer. Overweight people also aren't immune to getting cancer. We are just beginning to understand cancer, and it's an oversimplification to suggest that eating healthy foods causes it.<br><br>I'm just worried about Steve, is all, and it isn't fair to blame anything he did (or didn't do) for him getting cancer. It's just a shame is all.<br><br>I was a vegetarian for a number of years (probably 5 years or so) and I didn't suffer any problems because I saw to it that there was plenty of natural protein in my diet. Even now I rarely eat meat, and when I do it's mostly used sparingly as a flavoring to otherwise vegetarian dishes. Well, except for a nice grilled burger or baked chicken wings once in a while. Got to have some fun! <br><br><br><br><br>

Huh? Did I say I was blaming Steve's cancer on his diet? I don't think so. Anyone can get cancer. I don't care how fat or skinny you are.<br><br>I believe I said Steve's horrid "looks" could be a result of his diet. <br><br>

Holy Moly! Your pic shows up as a ? until I right clicked on it. He really has lost a LOT of weight. His shirt is literally hanging off of him now. <br><br><br><br><br><br>my photos

[color:blue] big meta analysis showing that vegans and vegetarians were no less healthy than folks who ate meat</font color=blue><br><br>I agree with that - when done in moderation a more balanced and round diet is the way to go. Nut proteins and meat proteins are not really the same, plus meats have certain amino acids that you cannot get from plants and nuts. Plus who knows what else vegans are missing?? <-- are the studies really 100% accurate ? I remember one time they said "Salt" was really bad but it turns out 30 years later that salt is good.<br><br>Bottom line;<br><br>Eating steak for diner, cheese burgers for lunch and bacon every day - is not the way to go. I may eat a steak maybe once or twice a month, maybe eat 3 strips of bacon or sausage once a week or every other week. Maybe buy a burger twice a month or substitute it with a lean sandwich from Subway sorta thing. I tend to eat more salads and vegetables and chicken and fish.<br><br>I read an article that mentions Americans tends to eat more fatty foods - where as Australians and New Zealanders eats 40% more leaner meats in the way of Lamb and by products - SO instead of having that big steak eat a lamb chop instead.<br><br>

"You're sincerely wasting away." - When I'm Sixty-Four, Beatles<br><br>First thing that came to mind after looking at those two pics... that are only 5 months apart! I'm keeping my fingers crossed his weight loss is due to diet change, but fear much worse.<br><br>- a.k.a. Mississauga -

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>"You're sincerely wasting away."<p><hr></blockquote><p><br>Well that's a new spin on the platter.<br><br>[color:red]&#63743;</font color=red> [color:orange]&#63743;</font color=orange> [color:yellow]&#63743;</font color=yellow> [color:green]&#63743;</font color=green> [color:blue]&#63743;</font color=blue> [color:purple]&#63743;</font color=purple>

That cracked me up... <br><br>