Does Eating a Vegan Diet Make You Healthier? The Twin Study Examined

[@thomaslevine405]

Thank you Dr. Shusterman for covering this interesting diet comparison.

[@thecookingdoc]

Thank you so much @thomaslevine405 - I really appreciate you watching and commenting

[@ellatoler9706]

Thanks for this. A balanced look at a research study is refreshing.

[@thecookingdoc]

@ellatoler9706 Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@angelinabalili2565]

Amazing explanation, thank you so much🙏.

[@thecookingdoc]

😀Thank you @angelinabalili2565 - Trying to cover all sides of the study. Thanks so much for watching!

[@corpuscallosum4677]

Vegetarianism started eons ago in the 2 most ancient cultures, China and India, not for the love of egos, the lower physical self, but for the love of all sentient beings. And these 2 ancient cultures are experts in understanding Chi or Prana, the invisible energy field that some Western scientists are still denying or debating its existence. Even ancient dictators/emperors had cleansing rituals of being vegetarians for 2 weeks prior to praying/asking Heaven for weather miracles or material dominances. If people still confuse about how we're all ONE in this energy cosmos, don't look at compartmentalized so called scientific studies, look at the famous Blue Zones study for centenarians. Loma Linda, the only city in North America that is in the Blue Zones (only 5 cities exist globally), are full of Seventh Day Adventists that favor vegetarian life styles. That's a miracle in this materially rich but spiritually self-absorbing USA. To miss the spiritual part is really missing the forest for the tree. To put carnivore on the same scale as vegetarian philosophy is going backward on human's evolution epochs, the next lower rung is cannibalism ! It's spiritual, then mental, then physical, not the other way round. Even saying vegetarianism is good for the environment is leaning too much on the physical side. Vegetarianism does lead to a cleaner environment, but that's the by-products, same as longevity, healthier bodies, cleaner skins, younger looking physiques, are all by-products of biophilia, a segment of Absolute Truth!

[@herbbowler2461]

I agree 100% You're saying exactly what I have been saying for more than 45 years. And I love some of your statements. I had a long conversation with a preacher earlier today. We both agree. The bible doesn't suggest we must eat meat.

[@imagentv3768]

Agree at 100%, it's a beautiful, spriritual, clean life style, it is more than just food!

[@rowbear1964]

Two of Rowbear's kidney doctors (MD and ND) both say that the most difficult patients they have are vegetarians. The MD says the kidneys love pork. We eat meat and feel good. Rowbear has stayed at Stage 3 for six years since he was diagnosed when his kidneys, heart, and lungs failed.

[@thecookingdoc]

Very interesting @rowbear1964 - I will have to look into that research. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@Ricksworld1962]

Cholesterol is not a problem. We would die quickly without it. LDL is not a proper measurement. Much more important is the level of both Triglycerides and HDL

[@imagentv3768]

Thank you Dr. Shusterman, I am not a vegan because I still eat fish once or twice a week, my plant based diet is very healthy no junk, process, sugar, alcohol, and all organic, I am also an identical twin, my sister is an omnivore, pretty clean diet too, the only difference is that she has a problem to keep her weight down and she had a bit of bad cholesterol, even if I eat more than her, I am slim and fit, and I never count my calories or macro nutrients, and my blood work is great. About b12, yes I need to take a supplement, but the b12 in animals also come from supplement, the animal is just the middle man! I think everybody is different even twins, and the best choice is a healthy life style that fit with you own needs.

[@justapseudonym7]

I did definitely feel there was bias towards veganism instead of a well rounded pov

[@thecookingdoc]

Just trying to look at the study from all angles. That is why I talked about the author of the study being a vegan as well. It is a very fascinating study, but of course there are caveats on both sides to examine @BonBonHassan 🙂

[@Indievors]

I love that you mentioned those red flags regarding this study. Not many would that.

[@shirleypillay173]

Thank you I need more ❤❤

[@thecookingdoc]

@shirleypillay173 I am kicking off the New Year with a more plant-based videos. I will have a new one this week.

[@dimplesp4046]

Eating for your blood type is a great book that breaks it down according to blood type and race.

[@EyesOnCarnivore]

The vegans in the study, lost muscle weight, and put on more fat, despite eating less calories. Vegan diets are deficient in 15 essential nutrients, not just vitamin B 12.

[@TruthTeller70-o9n]

A vegan diet is only as deficient as you make it. Make it complete nutritionally. What is needed to make a vegan diet nutritionally complete is everywhere now. Vegan body builders are posting on You Tube. They are not losing muscle mass or lagging behind other groups (who are not using steroids of course).

[@EyesOnCarnivore]

@@TruthTeller70-o9n ha ha Ha vegan bodybuilders funny they all have health problems and give up eventually LOL delusional vegans are everywhere

[@geminicls446]

@@TruthTeller70-o9nI agree, there are vegan bodybuilders, and it’s obvious they aren’t wasting away. However, I think it’s worth noting that those individuals spend their days working out and meticulously plan the macronutrients in their diet, particularly focusing on adequate protein. Most vegans are just like the rest of us - they have busy lives, pay less attention to macronutrient ratios, and may work out, but not to the degree of a bodybuilder. I think @EyesOnCarnivore point is valid. Vegans tend to eat less protein, and plant based protein isn’t as bioavailable or complete at animal protein. A concern for all aging individuals is sarcopenia, but it seems to be more significant in vegans. Body composition matters when it comes to metabolic health, bone/muscle health. This has been shown time and time again in the literature. Vegan diets may not be optimal when it comes to these concerns, especially as individuals age.

[@imagentv3768]

@@geminicls446 I think if you do it right vegan is as good as any other diet, all plants have protein, the lowest is 10%, of their nutrient, if you add legume and grain like brown rice, you are way over that 10%, I am on a plant base diet, I still eat a bit of fish, but I don't have to calculate any of my macro nutrients. The best beef is grass feed, the beef gets his protein from the plant, the protein from the animal are from the grass they eat, animals are just middle man, have a balance healthy diet, will stop the needs to count calories, stop craving, and keep you lean. My twin sister that is mostly omnivore/carnivor is not as fit as I am, not as muscular as I am. It all depends of the individual, everybody is unique the best is to find a life style that keep you healthy and happy.

[@geminicls446]

@@imagentv3768 I agree - we are all different. I am glad you are thriving on a plant based diet with some fish. Sounds like it is working for you. While you have a twin sister and may be identical genetically, (if you are a fraternal twin you aren’t) I’m sure there are other variables like weight, sleep, stress, alcohol use, smoking, and exercise, etc. that may vary between you and your sister - in addition to the difference in your diets. Hard to conclude that it is diet alone that makes the difference in health outcomes between you and your sister. You may have a healthier lifestyle overall, which explains the advantages you note when it comes to your health. I personally am a whole food omnivore, who eats low carb and I am in the best shape of my life and in better health than many of the vegan/veggies I know. I was vegan for nearly a decade, and then was diagnosed with gluten intolerance, and sensitivities to many of the healthy vegan foods I consumed - almost all beans, grains, legumes, and even some veggies (mushrooms, which I love, peas, corn). I didn’t react to any whole animal foods, so now they are a staple in my diet. There are so many people out there in my boat who just don’t thrive on a vegan diet due to food intolerances, genetics, epigenetics, etc. I agree, plants have protein. However, animal proteins are complete and contain all the required amino acids. Plants proteins are often incomplete and you need to carefully plan combining plant foods (ex: rice with beans) to get a balance of all amino acids. I understand your point about cutting out the middle man (cow) and just going for the plants. However, biovavalability and absorption of protein and minerals from plant foods can vary significantly from on person to the next. So a vegan could be eating plant foods high in protein or other minerals, but the absorption may not be adequate. This is well documented in the scientific literature. I’m not implying that this is your situation, because you describe yourself as healthy. But it is a concern for many people and can contribute to sarcopenia and nutritional deficiencies.

[@simplypositiveme]

Thank you, thank youuuu

[@ELAMANECIDO11]

Hi doctor.. is okay to eat 2 cups beans a day !? With vegetables !?

[@darrenbrown7037]

Yes. But also eat other things too. Good luck

[@maymendez7469]

Actually I cut back on plant foods and I heal my gut issues. I used to eat a lot of plant foods but my stomach was always bloated and gassy. I eat more meat now and I feel so much better and I even lose weight. So listen to your body and don’t follow the herd.

[@angelataylor2049]

We need meat, meat has naturally balanced vitamins and amino acids. I don’t feel well without meat or fish or dairy or cheese. Why starve yourself by going vegan?

[@fraseredk7433]

Some have to do so, eg those with ckd.

[@kat2878]

I have tried to eat vegan before - i just can't do it - i am hungry all the time!!!!! I definitely find that meat is more satiating - plus i find i just eat too many carbs!! - i am not against carbs - but i can't eat too many or i will gain weight for sure. - i think this was interesting though - i guess if you are going to eat animal products, you have to be mindful of not overdoing the saturated fat.

[@angelataylor2049]

@@fraseredk7433 look up Dr Ken Berry that’s a myth…actually protein can heal the kidneys.

[@rowbear1964]

I agree. When I don't eat meat I crave carbs and also don't sleep as well. I have Hashimoto, my husband has stage 3 kidney disease. I cook everything from scratch, six hours a day, but it has kept my husband at the same stage level for 6 years. And he eats meat.

[@thecookingdoc]

I understand your concerns @angelataylor2049 - I just want to talk about plant-based foods this month and this study was fascinating to me. Going vegan is not for everyone, but I always encourage my patients to try cutting back on meat or having a few meals a week that are plant-based.

[@herbbowler2461]

How about healthy people over 100 years on vegan. You were doing good until you stated vegans were low in B12. That is definitely a proven myth.

[@carsonturcotte9657]

4 to 8 weeks shows nothing. Try 4 to 8 years… We don’t understand cholesterol well enough to come to any meaningful conclusion. The day we understand every single one of our gut biomes bacteria, virus, fungi & the last one I can’t remember the name of it. That will be the day we make any sense at all. Give it a few thousand years.

[@TruthTeller70-o9n]

No one needs to eat the flesh of the dead to live. And it takes no more work to maintain whole foods, plant-based complete nutrition as a vegan than it does to maintain any other diet. Just as you have to monitor for complete nutrition on any other diet, you should monitor when vegan. Vegans may need to monitor caloric intake, eat six small meals per day instead of three large ones, supplement zinc, iron, D3, C, and B complexes, and add a good pea protein isolate at 60 grams per day in a plant-based shake (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry variation or greens), but that is easy compared to dealing with heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and myriad other disease processes caused by animal products, not to mention social, environmental, psychological, and spiritual harms from animal products that are, when it comes to "meat", derived solely by unnecessary cycles of violence. Much easier. If you want complete nutrition without participating in a cycle of violence involving animal slaughter, it is there in abundance. All you have to do is look.The alternatives are everywhere on the shelves in every major market. It's not about nutrition anymore, if it ever really was about nutrition. You can get complete nutrition as a vegan if you determine to. Just look for it. There are plant-based omega-3s. There is plant-based D3, and plant-based B12. Seek and you shall find plant-based complete nutrition. Ask and you shall receive vegan versions of anything and everything. It's about leaving the cycle of violence and having a moral conscience. We, vegans, choose to live a life without violence, without blood, without horror, without the grotesque imposition by those who would force others to eat the bloody dead, accept hacked-to-death animal parts and internal organs for food, suckle from a cow teat, consume slimey ooze from a chicken's or fish's ovaries, and call it pridefully "dominion" when it is truthfully a tragedy of degradation wearing a mask of unawareness moving in a grotesque delusion.

[@ptbwinland146]

I get a lot upset stomach and digestive issues from vegan diet, so I just can’t go there, I’d rather die of heart atttack from eating meat then go through that again

[@TruthTeller70-o9n]

Lots of advances have been made in complete vegan nutrition that can be helpful with transitions. Plant-based pea protein isolate with greens, enzymes, and amino acid profiles are available now. Nutritionists suggest gradually adding more fruits and vegetables when transitioning. There are also suggestions for cooking techniques that aid digestion if raw is too much at the beginning. It can help to bake, broil, pressure cook or process vegetables in a puree. Recent studies suggest which food groups to eat separately or in combination, and when to eat food groups during the day for easier digestion, too. For older adults, both apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar before or with meals is reported to aid in digestion as well as add flavor to salads and vegetables.