Problems with vegetarian and vegan diets

Definitions. There are various types of vegetarian diets:

1. Vegetarians: A general term for those who avoid animal products. It can specifically refer to individuals who abstain from red meat.
2. Obligatory vegetarians: People who become vegetarian due to discomfort or adverse reactions when consuming meat. This indicates a disease state of the body.
3. Lacto-vegetarians: Individuals who consume dairy products but avoid meat.
4. Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Those who include dairy and eggs in their diet but exclude meats.
5. Vegans (very deficient diet-wise): People who avoid both dairy products and eggs.
6. Semi-vegetarians: Individuals who consume meat no more than three times per week.
7. Fruitarians (even more deficient): Individuals who primarily or exclusively eat fruit.
8. Carnivores: People or animals whose main diet consists of meat.
9. Omnivores: People or animals that consume a mixed diet of both meat and vegetables.
10. Herbivores: People or animals that only consume plant foods without meat.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VEGETARIAN DIETS

While some Chinese and Indian populations may have practiced vegetarianism historically, it was not the case for most Western cultures. Anthropological evidence, including the research of Weston Price, DDS, indicates that early humans were primarily hunters and gatherers, not vegetarians. Throughout history, people on all continents have consumed meat for sustenance.

II. PROBLEMS WITH VEGETARIAN DIETS

The Benefits of Vegetarian Diets: Some authors praise the benefits of vegetarian diets, but here we’ll focus on the problems associated with these diets, as they outweigh the alleged advantages.

Problems with Vegetarian Diets:

This section is divided into “Always Problems” and “Often, But Not Necessarily Problems.”

“ALWAYS PROBLEMS” WITH VEGETARIAN DIETS

High in copper: Although often overlooked, this is a critical concern today, especially when many individuals already have high copper toxicity. Meats are an essential source of absorbable and usable zinc, which acts as the main copper antagonist. Merely taking zinc tablets cannot replace the zinc obtained from meats. Excessive copper levels are linked to issues like yeast problems, cancers, heart disease, and mental illnesses, among others.

Low in zinc: A severe and nearly universal nutritional imbalance today, worsened by vegetarian diets. Meats or flesh foods are the primary sources of zinc, not eggs or cheese. Zinc is crucial for various bodily functions, including genetic biosynthesis, detoxification, and enzyme operation. Unfortunately, the deficiency is often not revealed by blood or hair tests.

Low in Special Forms of Sulfur: A significant concern! Vegetarian diets lack essential sulfur-bearing compounds like taurine, cysteine, carnitine, and methionine. These compounds play a crucial role in eliminating heavy metals and toxic chemicals from the body. Without them, the body’s ability to detoxify diminishes, leading to a shorter lifespan, as observed in my experience.

Poor Quality Proteins: Most vegetarian proteins are not as high in quality or as “complete” as meat, eggs, and organic or high-quality dairy products. Protein sources like soy, other beans, nuts, seeds, and protein from grains are deficient in protein. Combining them can be challenging for digestion and often results in low phosphorus levels on hair tests, indicating inadequate body rebuilding.

Often, Though Not Always Problems with Vegetarian Diets

Too High in Carbohydrates: This is not always the case, but it is common with vegetarian diets, especially vegan ones without eggs or dairy. Relying mainly on high-carb foods like grains and beans can lead to imbalances and malnourishment, even with high-quality food.

Low in Protein: While not universally true, it is often seen in vegetarian and vegan diets due to fewer protein options. People may turn to non-protein foods like pasta, bread, grains, and fruits, which can be hard on the body. Moderation is key, as excessive protein intake is also not ideal.

Extremely Low in Vitamin D: Vitamin D, mostly found in animal products, is scarce in vegetarian diets. While sunlight alone is insufficient, vegetarians can supplement with vitamin D3 derived from fish oil or lanolin from sheep’s skin.

Low in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for everyone, and vegetarian diets may lack them. While animal foods like sardines are excellent sources, vegetarians can use flaxseed oil or hemp oil as alternatives.

Often Low in B-Complex Vitamins: While not inevitable, many vegetarian diets may be somewhat low in B-complex vitamins.

ISN’T CHOLESTEROL IN MEAT BAD?

Cholesterol is the raw material used by our bodies to produce sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and adrenal hormones such as adrenalin, cortisone, and aldosterone. It is not a harmful substance, as some may believe due to misinformation from physicians. Moreover, most cholesterol is produced internally in our bodies. Even some vegetarians with no animal product intake can have elevated cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol becomes problematic only when it is excessively high, which indicates stress and liver imbalance. Eating the right foods, including some high-quality animal foods, in combination with other nutritious items such as cooked vegetables and proper nutritional supplements, can help lower high cholesterol levels when done properly.

WILL EATING MEAT MAKE ONE FAT?

The most overweight individuals today are often those who follow a vegetarian diet and consume many carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, beans, and rice. Extensive research by Dr. Robert Atkins showed that weight gain is usually not due to excessive consumption of fats and meats but rather from an overabundance of carbohydrate foods like bread, potatoes, sugars, and even fruits and milk, which are high in sugars. Unfortunately, this understanding is not widely recognized in many societies grappling with weight issues.

DOES EATING MEAT MAKE ONE LESS SPIRITUAL?

Quite the opposite is true in modern times. We find that meat is essential for mental and spiritual development in our current era. Meats provide crucial nutrients like zinc, vital for developing finer brain centers and a healthy nervous system. Many vegetarians suffer from severe zinc deficiency, as the right zinc compounds are not abundantly found in vegetable-based foods. Meats also possess higher etheric energy, benefiting spiritual development. Additionally, they are more yang foods, balancing the body, while some vegetarian foods can be too yin (in chinese medical terms), further unbalancing the body and mind.

DOES EATING MEAT CAUSE OSTEOPOROSIS?

No, it’s quite the opposite in our experience. Many women with osteoporosis have been or are vegetarian types who consume little meat. Deficiencies in critical bone-strengthening minerals like zinc, boron, and manganese may develop due to their dietary choices. When these women correct their diets by reintroducing some animal protein, their bones can strengthen.

DOES MEAT-EATING KEEP US STUCK IN OUR LOWER ANIMAL NATURE?

Eating the food required for health and mental development does not hinder spiritual progress. In fact, it often results in a calmer demeanor. Some of the most violent nations have high vegetarian populations, and a lack of animal protein can lead to increased aggression due to hunger. Proper nourishment from meat consumption does not make people more aggressive.

DOES EATING MEAT CAUSE BAD KARMA?

While some philosophies endorse vegetarianism to avoid taking the life of another being, a healthy individual can give back more to the entire plant and animal kingdom on Earth. The positive impact of being healthy and vibrant can outweigh any potential negative karma from eating meat.

DOES EATING MEAT CAUSE CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES?

Excessive meat consumption, especially of acid-forming and high-iron red meat, can contribute to cancer. However, eating the right kind and right amount of meat, in combination with other foods, does not contribute to cancer. In fact, it can provide health benefits.

ARE KETONES BAD?

Claims that ketones, byproducts of fat breakdown, are harmful are unfounded. Mild ketosis is not harmful to the body. Ketones are formed when fats are digested, which may occur when consuming meat due to its fat content. However, ketosis only arises when a diet is mainly fat-based, with minimal carbohydrates. While a ketogenic diet is not typically recommended, small quantities of ketones are not harmful on their own.

DO MEAT-EATERS SUFFER MORE FOOD POISONING?

The answer is not necessarily. Poor-quality meat can lead to sickness if consumed, but it’s important to note that many cases of food poisoning are caused by bacteria on vegetarian items like tomatoes, peppers, milk products, bean dips, salad dressings, and sauces. Due to the larger variety of vegetarian items available, there might be a higher incidence of food poisoning among vegetarians.

IS QUALITY MEAT MORE EXPENSIVE?

In the past, quality meat used to be more expensive, but the situation has changed. Today, organic vegetables and fruits can be pricier than eggs or even chicken. Items like turnips, rutabagas, beets, and certain greens can also be more costly than beef, chicken, or turkey. While lamb is generally an excellent meat, it can be somewhat expensive, but the supermarket variety is usually fine, and there’s no need to pay more at a health food store.

WHY DO MANY PEOPLE FEEL BETTER ON VEGETARIAN DIETS, AT LEAST FOR A WHILE?

This is a common question, and there are several reasons for it:

• Food allergies: Some people may be allergic to eggs, dairy, or certain meats, and eliminating these foods can lead to feeling better. Over time, as a development program progresses, allergies often diminish, and these foods can be reintroduced without causing problems.
• Digestive requirements: People with weak digestive systems may feel better without meat because digesting meat requires more hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes. If these enzymes are lacking, a person might feel better on a vegetarian diet. Using a digestive enzyme supplement can be helpful in such cases.
• Copper elimination: Eating meat can cause the elimination of copper from the body, leading to a healing reaction that might be mistaken for feeling better off meats.
• More fiber and vegetables: Some people feel better on a vegetarian diet because they consume more fiber and vegetables, which can be beneficial for health.
• Copper Personality Type: High-copper individuals often have a bright and creative yet ungrounded personality, and this type is common among vegetarians.

CAN VEGETARIANS BENEFIT FROM A MINERAL BALANCING PROGRAM?

Yes, vegetarians can definitely benefit from a mineral balancing program. While the diet might not be as varied as that of non-vegetarians, a well-planned program can still work well for them.

SHOULD WE EAT ALL OUR FOOD RAW?

While some advocate for mainly or completely raw diets, it’s not necessary. While certain fats and oils might be best consumed raw, cooking most other foods is recommended for various reasons. However, pasteurized and homogenized dairy products are best consumed raw if they are of excellent quality.

OTHER TOPICS

The text includes various additional topics, such as the link between vegetarian diets and yeast/spaciness, problems with grain consumption among vegetarians, the craving for sexual fluid among vegetarian women, the association of high-copper personality types with vegetarians, and instances of vegetarian leaders/authors lying about their diets.