when you became a vegetarian did you also think about the risks associated with it?

Question

Soy products and genital defects
A study has shown that boys born to mothers who consume relatively large amounts of soya products (such as tofu and soy milk) and vegetables containing pesticide residue were more likely to suffer from a specific genital defect, called hypospadias. Naturally occurring chemicals called phytoestrogens, found in soya products, are implicated as one cause.[49] Another study also observed that a maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy had a fivefold higher risk of producing infants with hypospadias.[50]
Professor Lindsay Allen of the United States Agricultural Research Service, declared: "There's absolutely no question that it's unethical for parents to bring up their children as strict vegans, unless those who practiced them were well-informed about how to add back the missing nutrients through supplements or fortified foods
The study concluded that the added nutrients, especially vitamin B12 contained in the meat and milk improved the health of the children in the study

Vegans are potentially at risk for being deficient in several nutrients, such as vitamin B12, vitamin A[citation needed], iron and iodine. These deficiencies can have potentially serious consequences, including anemia, pernicious anemia, cretinism and hyperthyroidism.[citation needed] Vitamin supplementation is highly recommended for vegans.[31]

[edit] Mineral deficiencies
The US Food and Drug Administration in its report states that vegetarian women of childbearing age have an increased chance of menstrual irregularities, and that vegetarians run the risk of not consuming enough micronutrients like copper, iron and zinc in their diet

A study of 6,000 pregnant women in 1998 "found that while the national average in Britain is 106 boys born to every 100 girls, for vegetarian mothers the ratio was just 85 boys to 100 girls."[51] The high amount of oestrogen balancing chemicals (the majority of which are soya ‘isoflavones’) contributes to this effect, as well as to stimulate early pubescence among females, and delay male pubescence.[52]

Answer 1

So you're saying that your mom was a vegetarian? It *would* explain a lot of your questions around here.

And as anybody with half a grain of sense can tell you, today's "irrefutable" study is tomorrow's burst bubble. Wait a few months, and someone will publish a study that contradicts the one you're quoting.

Answer 2

You should cite the articles you're going to be quoting so we can all read them, taking a few lines from any study is useless.

Excessive amounts of soy can cause problems, an excessive amount of anything, even water, is dangerous. The levels in those studies are unreasonable beyond normal consumption. Soy has been a large part of Asian diets for centuries, and they certainly don't have reproductive problems.

B12 is super easy to get from non-meat sources, a simple multi vitamin takes care of that.

Balance and moderation is the key, and there's nothing so special about flesh that it is necessary in our diets. Many other cultures have avoided meat, and done just fine.

Answer 3

Scientific "studies" can pretty much be made to read anything you want them to. I don't go by statistics or studies or anything else.
In answer to your most basic question - no, I considered nothing other than the fact that I absolutely refuse to contribute to the torture and eventual inhumane slaughter of animals. Quite frankly, if I end up a bit anaemic (which I should add, I am not and never have been) but it means 2,714 animals have not been killed (quote from link below), then it was worth it.
On a purely personal note, I wouldn't take any notice of any of the stuff about problems in pregnancy as I do not want children. Even if I did, again, you can find a "study" which says anything you want it to.
Any intelligent vegan will do research, find out what vitamins and minerals they may potentially be missing out on, and either add the relevant (vegan) foodstuff or take the relevant supplement.

Answer 4

There is some fact to that but you do realize that there are millions of asian people out there who eat a huge amount of soy and are some of the healthiest, long lived humans in the world? Also, you will find meat eaters eat heaps of soy (often more than vegetarians/vegans) It's in A LOT of "your" food. Sausages, fillers for gravies, sauces, breads, baked goods, basically all processed meats, cereal, drinks, chocolate bars etc. So don't get on our backs about soy consumption when you're eating just as much, if not more than we are. Peace.

Answer 5

When I became vegetarian I was only 15, so I didn't think about things such as having a good diet. Eventually I started looking at my diet and realized I didn't eat good, so I made some changes. And now I get all my protein and iron with out soy, it is really really easy. And most of the things you have said have simple solutions that most vegetarians know. Hell, even my grandma knows the solutions to the things you have stated.

Answer 6

-First of all I will simply respond to your first paragraph by saying I have no genital defect from being a Vegan, as a matter of fact I know of no research from even the most anti-Vegan groups claiming we suffer from genital defects. Did you mean genetic perhaps? Second, the soy issue is moot, there is no law saying you must eat soy to be Vegan. Indeed, you can get along just fine without it.

“Professor Lindsay Allen of the United States Agricultural Research Service, declared: "There's absolutely no question that it's unethical for parents to bring up their children as strict vegans, unless those who practiced them were well-informed about how to add back the missing nutrients through supplements or fortified foods
The study concluded that the added nutrients, especially vitamin B12 contained in the meat and milk improved the health of the children in the study .”

-This quote was taken out of context according to Professor Allen. as documented in a book called: The Way We Eat. Her quote referred to a study done in a third world country, and even then she did not mean it in that way. Look it up. According to the ADA, “A properly planed Vegetarian or Vegan diet is appropriate for all life stages.”


“Vegans are potentially at risk for being deficient in several nutrients, such as vitamin B12, vitamin A[citation needed], iron and iodine.”

- According to research referenced in the book: Becoming Vegan, meat eaters are at just as high of risk of developing the same deficiencies.


”The US Food and Drug Administration in its report states that vegetarian women of childbearing age have an increased chance of menstrual irregularities, and that vegetarians run the risk of not consuming enough micronutrients like copper, iron and zinc in their diet.”

- Ask any Vegetarian women of childbearing age and I would bet she will tell you this is untrue. In fact, most Vegetarian women enjoy lighter, less painful menstruation as result of their diet.

“A study of 6,000 pregnant women in 1998 "found that while the national average in Britain is 106 boys born to every 100 girls, for vegetarian mothers the ratio was just 85 boys to 100 girls."”

- From an evolutionary standpoint this seems about ideal to have more girls than boys wouldn’t you agree?

Answer 7

Well I must say thank you for your concern as it relates to this issue.
MAny individuals do switch to a vegetarian diet without being fully inform at all. AND that do lead to adverse effects
I would love to ask "have you considered the risk associated with meat eating?' -
Need I remind you that cancer is a no#1 killer - link primarily with meat eating
Do remember that Hindus are basically vegetarians we dont hear of them suffering adversly do we?
American vegetarians are the oones that fed alot on soy products, other vegetarians worldwide do not have a high consumption of suc and they dont suffer adverse effects as you mentioned -do they?
AS it relates to Vit. B12 you body produces it and it can be stored up to 20 yrs in the human body.
Did you also know that their are some meat eaters that suffer vit B12 deficency also, as they lack the necessary component in the stomach for the absorption of this vitamin. The bacteria that aids in the production of this vitamin may also be depleted by unhealth eating practices by some meat eaters also.
IT all boils down to a number of factors involve in this whole issue that is not readily reviewed by these egotistic researchers, just waiting to publish some paper with their name attach.
DOnt be bais just look on lthings from both perspective.

Answer 8

You really need to learn to read between the lines and separate fact from opinion! Before you quote someone, for example, do some research on the organisation they're affliliated with and how it is funded - you'll discover a lot of "intersting" links between some "healthy-sounding" associations and the farming industry...

Until then you'll remain a typical uneducated consumer suscepitble to fear-mongering tabloids on one side and the food industry's advertising on the other. I bet you're one of those people who actually believes McDonald's salads are good for you!

Answer 9

There are risks associated with many diets, as you may be aware. Meat eaters don't necessarily have it easy. Very occasional meat-eating, I've heard, is the way to go.

Answer 10

you don't know very much do you.

again.. read up on vitamin b-12.

and all the other crap you claim you have adequate information on.


OINK!

what's with the anti female ethic going on here?

interesting..... listen you can use a towel to satisfy yourself with, no one has to know.. unless you wish to make money from it. then again if that's you in that avatar, just save everyone the time and keep it to yourself.