Vegan diet v.s. meat diet

BONE HEALTH

Many factors affect bone health – including exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, high sodium intake, and smoking. Eating too much protein makes the blood more acidic, causing calcium to be leached from the bones and raising the risk for osteoporosis (Calcif Tissue Int, 1994;44:335). Vegan diets tend to be lower in protein, but since there are currently no studies on the calcium needs of vegans, it is advisable to meet the recommended intake. Some calcium-rich plant foods, like calcium- set tofu and calcium -fortified soymilk, are also rich in isoflavones (found only in soyfoods) which may help to make bones stronger (Perspectives in Nutrition, 1999). So, a serving of calcium-fortified soymilk – which contains just as much calcium as a glass of cow's milk – is an excellent choice.

CONTAMINATION

Residesof antibotics, hormones, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and other degrading toxins from the environment accumulate up the food chain and into animal products. Non-seafood meats and diary account for over 90% of human exposure to the toxic chemical dioxin, and fish accounts for 7% (Food Chemial News, 11/11/95). According to Time magazine (10/17/94), "The conservative estimate is that bad chicken kills at least 1, 000 Americans each year."

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