Quote:
Originally Posted by nelie
Genetics are a factor but also just giving up meat versus going vegan is quite different. All the studies I've read regarding giving up animal products and cholesterol had to do with a vegan diet. What I was amazed about is the fact that in parts of the world where a whole foods vegan (or mostly vegan) diet is eaten, American 'good' cholesterol numbers are still higher than even their worst cholesterol numbers. Of course the studies also addressed those who are living in the US from the same cultures and they are still as likely to get high cholesterol as other Americans.
Well it's a little bit more complex then that really, genetics do play a huge part in how our bodies react to food ie nutrients. I'll give you an example, the average fair skinned person can get their necessary daily vitamin D from 15 minutes of sun exposure, but someone with African American heritage it is near impossible for them to get their necessary daily vitamin D from the sun, because of their genetic make-up, they have more melanin in the skin which is the reason their skin is darker.
Meat is not the real villain in our diets it is corn syrup and trans fats, medical studies have found that corn syrup and trans fats to be the real smoking gun when it comes to high cholesterol. With the introduction of corn syrup and trans fats (processed vegetable oil) in the 1970's into the America food supply this is the real cause for the obesity ie cholesterol rate to rise dramatically. Our ancestor's eat fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, dairy, honey and lean game. And there is a difference between veganism and vegetarianism I want to point out. As I am sure you know vegans will not eat or wear or use any product derived from an animal or insect. Vegetarian don't eat meat, some will eat dairy or eggs or fish, some don't, but most will wear wool and silk and will eat honey. Again medical studies have confirmed that corn syrup and trans fats well basically all processed foods are killing us. Medical studies also confirm a well balanced diet with meat, fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, dairy, honey and lean game but with no processed foods is good for us. But I personal don't eat red meat because I feel that they way most cattle not all cattle is raise and slaughtered is not humane but I won't tell anyone else how to live. I would rather spend my time and energy getting food company's and the government to ban trans fats and corn syrup from schools and ultimately out of our food supply, It is not the consumption of meat that is giving America high cholesterol but really it's corporate greed that is giving people high cholesterol. If doctor's hadn't told us about corn syrup and trans fats (processed vegetable oil) no vegan or vegetarian would know that they too are at risk for obesity and high cholesterol.